Advancing the Commercialization of Small Modular Reactors
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Transcript of Advancing the Commercialization of Small Modular Reactors
Advancing the Commercialization of Small Modular Reactors
Michael KurthAmerican Nuclear Society & Washington Internship for Students of Engineering
Benefits of Nuclear Power• Environmental Benefits• Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• Comparable life cycle emissions to renewables
• Base-load Power• Capability to provide constant power
• Energy Diversity• All of the Above Energy Strategy to Mitigate Fluctuations in
Energy Pricing• Nonproliferation• Strong Domestic Nuclear Program Positively Affects
Nonproliferation Issues Abroad
4 Domestic Light Water SMRsIntegral Pressurized Water Reactor
(iPWR)
• 3 Designs
Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)• One Design
B&W NuScale Westinghouse Holtec
http://www.generationmpower.com/
http://www.nuscalepower.com/overviewofnuscalestechnology.aspx
http://www.smrllc.com/safety.html
http://www.westinghousenuclear.com/SMR/Westinghouse_SMR_Brochure.pdf
Economic Advantages of SMRs over traditional nuclear power
• Reduced Capital Costs• Larger Nuclear Power Plants can cost as much as 90% of the
average annual revenues of a investor owned utility• More Utilities can use Nuclear
• Reduced Construction Times• Leads to Faster Return on Investment
• Modular• Allows Generation Capability to be Added Incrementally as
Demand Increases
Advantages of SMRs over traditional nuclear power• Safety• NuScale’s Indefinite Cooling Scheme
http://www.nuscalepower.com/triplecrown.aspx
Advantages of SMRs over traditional nuclear power• Underground Containment
http://www.generationmpower.com/technology/deployment.asp
http://www.westinghousenuclear.com/SMR/Westinghouse_SMR_Brochure.pdf
http://www.smrllc.com/safety.html
http://www.nuscalepower.com/reactorbuildingsandbarriers.aspx
Advantages of SMRs over traditional nuclear power• Transportability
http://www.nuscalepower.com/small.aspx
http://www.westinghousenuclear.com/SMR/Westinghouse_SMR_Brochure.pdf
Possible Areas of SMR Application
Markets Pros Cons
Replacing Older Coal Plants Size and Emissions Near Population Centers
Remote Locations Higher Energy Prices, Lack of Large Grid
Too Small and Security Concerns
Government Facilities Long Term Power Purchase Agreements, Goals on Emission Reductions
Appropriations
Foreign Exports Large Growing Demand, Developing Countries, Nonproliferation
Lack of Infrastructure, Competition
Roadblocks to SMR Deployment• Economic Issues
VS.
Economy of Scale Economy of Mass Production
http://www.eenews.net/assets/2013/03/13/document_gw_01.pdfhttp://www.wikinvest.com/wiki/Economies_of_scale
Roadblocks to SMR Deployment• Licensing Issues• Security Staffing• Operator Staffing • Emergency Planning
Zones
Roadblocks to SMR Deployment • Export Process
http://ita.doc.gov/td/energy/Civil%20Nuclear%20Exporters%20Guide%20(FINAL).pdf
Program in Place to Assist in SMR deployment• DOE Funding Program• 2012 Initiated a 5 year 452 Million Dollar Program
• Focused on design certification and licensing, but not construction• B&W Received first award for $150 million• Expected Deployment in 2022
• 2013 Initiated a Second Round of SMR Funding• Extended Timeline to 2025• Received applications from other three vendors• Focuses on innovation and design certification
Additional Assistance and Policies Needed to Promote Successful Commercialization• Domestic Policies• Increase DOE Funding to Initial Announcement Levels
• $150 million awarded to B&W increased to $226 million• Extend Timeline for Advanced Energy Credits for Manufacturers
• Timeline is currently too short to properly allow for SMR manufacturing facility to take advantage of program
• Government Facilities Act as a ‘First Mover’• Power Purchase Agreements Allow Utilities to substantially reduce
risk
Additional Assistance and Policies Needed to Promote Successful Commercialization• Export Policies• Allow 123 Agreements to be made case by case
• There are factions calling for all 123 Agreements to require identical terms regarding reprocessing and enrichment capabilities
• DOE modifications of Part 810• Continue discussions with industry to ensure specific and
appropriate scope of Part 810• Create a Transparent Export Process
• DOE does not have a modern system to follow the progress of export applications
Conclusion• Nuclear Energy has environmental, energy diversity, and
nonproliferation positive effects• SMRs have added benefits over traditional nuclear power, which
include added safety, reduced capital costs, and modularity• There are several marketplaces that have potential for SMRs but
also have issues that must be overcome• Due to the nature of the economy of SMRs measures must be put
in place to help assist with the initial lack of cost competitiveness• The Licensing Issues are in many cases onetime costs and the DOE
should continue its support of resolution• The Export process should be streamlined and modernized to
ensure timely deployment of SMR exports in the face of international competition.
Questions?