The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has approved the first nuclear small modular reactor (SMR) design in the country. These new, modular designs reactors are seen as a safe and cheaper alternative to traditional nuclear reactors. Developed by NuScale, it allows companies to build and operate a nuclear power plant which generates 50MW of energy. These designs can be expanded over time, without the need for a large-scale addition to an existing installation.
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This step is a long time coming, with NuScale first filing for certification with the NRC back in 2016. The design can be used throughout the country from 21 February 2022. NuScale plans to use its SMRs in its VOYGR power plants, which are designed to hold either 4, 6, or 12 power modules, each of which is around a third the size of a large-scale reactor.
“Each power module leverages natural processes, such as convection and gravity, to passively cool the reactor without additional water, power, or even operator action,” the US energy department stated.
Since application in 2016, NuScale has been hard at work to improve their technology, and are nearly ready to roll out an upgraded module that could generate 77MW. This means a single plant could generate up to 924MW.
The Associated Press reported that the SMR certification is the seventh for nuclear reactors in the country, with all the previous approved designs for conventional large light-water reactors.
These new reactors are thought to convince countries that have started to pull away from nuclear for their energy needs to reconsider. Many major economic powers are decommissioning their nuclear plants due to pressure from the public due to safety concerns. However, nuclear is still the safest and most sustainable form of clean energy, even taking the disposal of nuclear waste into account.
