How safe are SMR?

They operate at or near atmospheric pressure (this minimises plant stresses) and are inherently safe with a negative temperature coefficient which means, if the temperature rises, the nuclear reaction is slowed and the power reduces.

How much does SMR cost?

First-of-a-kind units suitable for mining are estimated to cost in the order of $200-350M for a 20 MWe SMR, with lower costs thereafter as the supply chain develops.

How much does a NuScale SMR cost?

NuScale has estimated its first plant will cost just under $3 billion to build, giving an overnight capital cost of $5,078/kWe. But the real power of SMRs are the fact that they can’t melt down.

What does SMR stand for in nuclear?

Office of Nuclear Energy. Office of Nuclear Energy. Reactor Technologies. Advanced Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)

What is the safest nuclear reactor?

Thorium is considered the “most abundant, most readily available, cleanest, and safest energy source on Earth”, adds science writer Richard Martin.

• Liquid fluoride thorium reactors are designed to be meltdown proof.
• Mining thorium is safer and more efficient than mining uranium.

Are we running out of uranium?

According to the NEA, identified uranium resources total 5.5 million metric tons, and an additional 10.5 million metric tons remain undiscovered—a roughly 230-year supply at today’s consumption rate in total. Breeder reactors could match today’s nuclear output for 30,000 years using only the NEA-estimated supplies.

How long does it take to build SMR?

A: After community agreement, and after all government approvals have been granted, it would take 3-5 years.

How do small modular reactors work?

Like conventional nuclear reactors, small modular reactors harness thermal energy to generate electrical power. For example, the thermal energy heats water into steam, which then powers a turbine, generating electrical power. The Reactor Island houses all of the nuclear systems.

What does SMR mean?

SMR

How are SMRs different from other nuclear reactors?

In comparison to existing reactors, proposed SMR designs are generally simpler and the safety concept for SMRs relies more on passive systems and inherent safety characteristics of the reactor, such as low power and operating pressure.

What are the safety requirements for small modular reactors?

The publication, Applicability of Design Safety Requirements to Small Modular Reactor Technologies Intended for Near Term Deployment, “identifies directions for further development of additional requirements or guidance.

Why is the IAEA technology neutral on SMRs?

As the concepts and designs of innovative technologies, including SMRs, are technologically diverse, the IAEA is working on the establishment of a technology-neutral framework for safety to help harmonize international approaches on the basis of existing IAEA safety standards.

Why is it important for CNSC to regulate SMR?

However, it is the CNSC’s role to ensure that it is ready to regulate SMR projects in order to protect the health and safety of Canadians and the environment. Our regulation also ensures national security and that we are implementing the international obligations to which Canada has agreed.