REACTOR DESIGN | SMR COMPETITION
Above: Artist’s impression of a Rolls Royce SMR power plant
almost two years ahead of any of our competitors. Securing a domestic contract is vitally important to unlock the enormous global export potential of our clean energy technology.”
This year Rolls-Royce SMR and Sumitomo Corporation
completed a joint feasibility study which shows the reactor could offer a significant advantage for the production of low-carbon hydrogen when cost, availability and carbon emissions are taken into consideration. The company has also signed a memorandum of
understanding (MOU) with Finnish power company Fortum to explore opportunities for the deployment of SMRs in Finland and Sweden. Last year Fortum began a two- year feasibility study to explore necessary conditions for deployment of SMRs. A Rolls-Royce-led UK SMR consortium aims to build 16
Below: The AP300 shown in this artist’s impression is based on the operating AP1000 design.
SMRs and expects to complete its first unit in the early 2030s. Rolls Royce is also discussing deployment of its SMR with the Czech Republic, Poland, Estonia and the Netherlands.
Westinghouse The Westinghouse AP300™ small modular reactor is currently the only SMR based on a licensed, operating nuclear reactor design. Launched in May this year, the
design is derived from the operating AP1000 PWR which makes it unlike every other SMR under development with first-of-a-kind technologies and risks. It is an advanced, Generation III+ single-loop pressurised light water reactor. It utilises the same engineering, components and supply chain as the AP1000 which Westinghouse says will thus enable streamlined licensing and leveraging of available technical skills. The company adds that the advantageous economics of the AP300 are based on robust analysis and existing project costs from AP1000 reactors already in operation or development. Four AP1000 units are operating in China with a further six under construction and one is operating at Plant Vogtle in Georgia, USA, while a second is nearing completion there. The simplified, modular, ultra- compact nuclear island also reduces construction costs and schedule, Westinghouse says. For these reasons the company argues that it is confident that the first operating unit will be available in the early 2030s. The AP300 SMR features advanced passive safety systems designed to achieve and maintain safe shutdown condition without operator action, back-up power or pumps and has an output of 300 MWe from 990 MWth. Commenting, Patrick Fragman, Westinghouse President and
CEO said: “We look forward to this opportunity to demonstrate that the AP300 SMR is the best option for the UK.” Earlier this year Westinghouse Electric Company and
Finland’s Fortum signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to study the possibilities for the development and deployment of AP300 reactor projects in Finland and Sweden. This deal was followed by a similar MoU agreement with Slovak state-owned nuclear company JAVYS and another with Ukraine’s Energoatom.
SMR outlook The successful development of SMRs could completely transform how nuclear power stations are built and result in billions of pounds of investment in the UK and elsewhere. The flexibility of design means that SMRs could also play a significant role is decarbonising hard-to-reach sectors like chemicals, building materials and other energy-intensive industries. Although six companies’ designs have been shortlisted for the next phase of the UK competition, much will depend on a successful roll out of the winning designs, not just in the UK but much further afield too. SMRs clearly offer much promise but the success of SMRs will also mark a key breakthrough for nuclear technology more broadly. ■
36 | WNE Special Edition |
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