Nuclear Energy Institute Offers A Look At Nuclear Technology Innovations
Within 25 to 30 years, a U.S. electric grid built on a foundation of light water reactors will include a range of new designs that will provide a wide array of critical capabilities to meet the energy needs of the future, according to the Nuclear Energy Institute. These designs are the outgrowth of decades of innovation from scientists and entrepreneurs who see a new generation of nuclear technology capable of meeting the needs of a changing energy future.
Progress in three sets of nuclear technologies currently is evident: present-day light water reactors, small modular light water reactors and advanced nonlight water reactors. This article looks at the innovations in new reactor designs that are just around the corner.
Small Modular Reactors Moving to a New Era
Small modular reactors (SMRs) are expected to begin being deployed in the 2020s. Developed as smaller, simpler versions of the light water reactors now in operation, they can be built at off-site factories and shipped to plant sites via truck, train or barge. Power plant capacities (starting at less than 300 megawatts-electric) can be increased in stages, providing utilities additional flexibility in the face of unpredictable demand. Shorter construction time frames about 36 months for each module can make it easier for smaller utilities to raise capital and allow quicker returns on investment while the rest of the plant is under construction.
Their smaller reactor cores also typically give these designs unique safety characteristics the reactors can shut down and cool off for indefinite periods without the need for human intervention, water addition or external electricity supplies. These features are expected to potentially yield substantial cost savings.
SMRs are progressing on several fronts. NuScale Power LLC's design certification application is the first ever to be submitted to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a small reactor, moving the company and its consortium partners closer to construction of the nation's first SMR facility at the Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory. The plant will be owned by Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems and operated by Washington state-based utility Energy Northwest. It is expected to begin commercial operations by 2026.
There are other players in the SMR field, including the 180-megawatt BWXT mPower design being developed as a joint venture of BWX Technologies Inc. and Bechtel Corp., Holtec International's SMR-160 design, and the Westinghouse Electric Co. SMR.
Last week, the NRC accepted for review Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) May 2016 early site permit application to study its Clinch River site in eastern Tennessee for a potential SMR plant using an as-yet unspecified design. The NRC will review the site safety and environmental and emergency preparedness requirements for the project. DOE has been involved in cost-share funding for the mPower and TVA projects, with an authorized limit of $452 million.
DOE continues to play a crucial role in supporting the development of SMR designs. In 2013 DOE's SMR licensing technical support program provided NuScale with a five-year investment of $217 million in matching funds to help the company through the NRC's design certification process. NuScale has invested more than $300 million of its own funding to develop the SMR design and the design certification application to this point.
The Nuclear Energy Institute is playing an equally critical role. Last January, NEI helped launch SMR Start, an industry organization of potential customers and vendors investing in SMRs with a goal of ensuring their successful commercialization by the mid-2020s. SMR Start currently has 15 members, including eight utilities and seven supplier companies.
Although not a direct member, NEI supports and coordinates with SMR Start on a wide range of activities. NEI also is working with the NRC to evolve the regulatory requirements to better align with the enhanced safety and security of SMR designs.
Advanced Reactors A New Generation of Generation
A more advanced suite of innovative nuclear technologies also is under development, with deployment projected in the mid-2030s. These are the designs whose development has been getting the attention not only of Congress and successive presidential administrations, but also venture capitalists, environmentalists and young technology innovators.
The Washington, D.C., think tank Third Way has identified almost 60 companies and research institutions that are developing advanced reactor designs, including molten salt reactors, liquid-metal-cooled reactors and high-temperature gas reactors.
In November 2015, the White House announced the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) initiative, which would give the nuclear energy community direct access to DOE's technical, regulatory and financial expertise. In addition, DOE last January announced it would provide cost-share support of up to $80 million to help two reactor technology developers, X-energy LLC and Southern Co. Services/TerraPower, partner with national laboratories, universities and other companies to develop their advanced reactor designs.
In a first for advanced nonlight water reactors, the U.S. affiliate of Canada's Terrestrial Energy Inc. announced this week that it has informed the NRC of its intent to submit a licensing application for its 400 megawatt-thermal advanced integral molten salt reactor by 2019, with prelicensing interactions with the agency set to begin this year. The company is reviewing four potential sites for a first commercial plant one at the Idaho National Laboratory and three east of the Mississippi to be selected by the end of 2017. Terrestrial Energy also is seeking up to $1.2 billion in federal loan guarantees.
Work toward developing a regulatory and licensing framework for these reactor technologies is continuing. Both DOE and the NRC have issued advanced reactor technology road maps, and technology-specific working groups have been formed for each of the three advanced reactor technologies.
On Feb. 21, Third Way will be hosting its second Advanced Nuclear Summit in Washington, D.C., following a very successful first summit last January. NEI Chairman Donald Brandt and President and Chief Executive Officer Maria Korsnick are expected to present the industry's views at the event.
As Terrestrial Energy Chief Executive Officer Simon Irish said this week, 'This is a very exciting time for the nuclear power industry.'
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