Comparative review of the benefits and flexibility of small modular reactor designs

Over the past few years, there has been a sustained interest in the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) evident by the number of global initiatives focused on SMR development. This desktop study was performed to review the viability of SMRs based on their benefits and flexibility, focusing predominantly on the light water NuScale and the gas cooled AHTR designs. In assessing the level of safety, the typical general design and safety criteria were reviewed to establish a basis to compare the NuScale and AHTR designs. The need for flexibility to support grid operators and the ability of a nuclear plant to load follow were reviewed to confirm their flexibility. The principal of cogeneration and the feasibility for cogeneration and energy storage with SMRs was explored to determine the potential industrial application. Finally, the technical readiness and uncertainties, the potential market and economic competitiveness of SMRs were reviewed. The review established that SMRs with safety performance levels exceeding those of current reactor designs are definitely viable. The ability to prevent fuel failure through passive cooling simplifies the design by eliminating the need for complex safety systems and reduces the constraints associated with siting, opening up energy markets where previously nuclear reactors would not have been viable. Their flexibility and the ability to add additional units over time enable them to integrate into any size electrical network and a variety of energy markets. As a clean energy source, SMRs are well suited to support strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and replace fossil-based energy sources. SMRs operating at high temperatures have the added option of considering thermal storage as a means to provide additional flexibility. The biggest uncertainty in the deployment of SMRs is associated with the regulatory and licencing processes. However, there is a large potential market for SMRs and the lower capital cost per unit, the shorter period until a revenue stream is established and the ability to stagger the financial impact of additional units are expected to make SMRs easier to finance than large nuclear units. This preliminary review concluded that SMRs are definitely viable, but until a SMR design has been successfully licenced, constructed and operated, the uncertainty associated with the licencing of a new technology and the potential for long delays during construction are likely to prevent any large-scale deployment in the near future.

Grantor

Department of Electrical Engineering

Year dc:date.issued

2020

Author dc:creator

• Featherstone, Keith

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Gaunt, Charles T

• Nuclear Technology

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/32666

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/32666