Small Modular Reactors Gain Appeal Amid Climate Worries and Geopolitical Risks

On Tuesday, November 28th, the fifth edition of the World Nuclear Exhibition opens in Paris, running until November 30th. This global civil nuclear exhibition brings together various decision-makers from the industry. It boasts more than 650 exhibitors and 20,000 participants from 76 countries who have come to exchange ideas and contribute to shaping the future of the civil nuclear sector.

The spotlight at this exhibition will be on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which represent the hopes of the nuclear industry.

SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors designed to be cheaper, quicker, and less financially risky to build.

SMRs have a power capacity of up to 300 MW(e) per unit, which is about one-third of the generating capacity of traditional nuclear power reactors. To get a better idea of what this scale represents, 300 MW(e) can power around 300,000 households. They typically feature streamlined designs, with safety strategies often leaning on passive systems and inherent reactor safety traits, such as low power and operating pressure. Their enhanced safety margins drastically reduce the risk of hazardous radioactive releases into the environment and public domain in the event of an accident.

Due to their reduced footprint, SMRs can be built in areas unsuitable for larger nuclear facilities. Consisting of prefabricated units, they can be manufactured, transported, and assembled on-site, rendering them more cost-effective to construct compared to large power reactors, often custom-designed for specific locations, a factor contributing to delays in construction. SMRs present advantages in both cost and construction duration, enabling gradual deployment to meet the growing demand for zero-emission energy. They can be installed into an existing grid or remotely off-grid.

This technology is attracting more and more countries committed to ambitious climate-change targets, thus offering new perspectives to the nuclear industry.

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