Small modular reactors (SMRs) are advanced nuclear reactors that have a power capacity of up to 300 MW per unit, which is about one-third of the generating capacity of traditional nuclear power reactors. SMRs produce a large amount of low-carbon electricity by harnessing nuclear fission to generate heat to produce energy. Nuclear reactors provide dispatchable energy and adjust output accordingly to demand. Whereas, wind and solar, are variable energy sources that depend on the weather and time of day.

One of the challenges to accelerating access to clean energy is infrastructure and the costs of grid interconnection. “A single power plant should represent no more than 10% of the total installed grid capacity. In areas lacking sufficient lines of transmission and grid capacity, SMRs can be installed into an existing grid or remotely off-grid, as a function of its smaller electrical output, providing low-carbon power for industry and the population.

In comparison to existing reactors, proposed SMR designs are generally simpler, and the safety concept relies more on passive systems and inherent safety characteristics of the reactor, such as low power and operating pressure. This means that in such cases no human intervention or external power or force is required to shut down systems, because passive systems rely on physical phenomena, such as natural circulation, convection, gravity, and self-pressurization. These increased safety margins, in some cases, eliminate or significantly lower the potential for unsafe releases of radioactivity to the environment and the public in case of an accident.” (iaea.org)

Facts:

• Nuclear power provides 10% of world’s electricity
• 30 countries operate nuclear plants
• SMRs are being developed in Argentina, Canada, China, Russia, South Korea, and the USA

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