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Next-generation alternatives
Published in Peter M. Schwarz, Energy Economics, 2023
The primary driver for small reactors is the lower financing cost. A second impetus is to supply power in remote locations that do not have access to the electric grid. The smaller size also allows construction on brownfields, potentially contaminated sites such as former coal plant sites (World Nuclear Association, 2016). Small modular reactors (SMRs) typically have a capacity of 300 MWs or less (as low as 10 MWs) compared to 1,000 MW conventional large-scale reactors. However, the production of nuclear energy appears to enjoy economies of scale, so the cost of producing energy is higher for SMRs. While capital costs may be less daunting than for large plants, investors will still look elsewhere if SMRs are not cost-competitive with large nuclear plants, much less natural gas and renewable sources of energy. There also may be less expensive ways of serving off-the-grid customers, such as solar, wind, and natural gas.
Hybrid Energy Systems for Nuclear Industry
Published in Yatish T. Shah, Hybrid Energy Systems, 2021
There are more design and scale options available for hybrid systems than ever before because recent developments in the nuclear industry have resulted in options for smaller reactors. The advent of SMRs allows for nuclear reactors capacities as low as 10 MW while maintaining favorable economics. Renewable facilities are scalable and range from very small to large capacities. Many wind farms are over 100 MW and at least one U.S. wind farm over 1 GW capacity and many solar power stations are over 100 MW with the largest over 250 MW nominal capacity [42]. Renewable resources—such as electricity produced by wind turbines and PVs—are characterized by variability of generation. High penetration of those sources requires a flexible grid, and consequently, other generators such as nuclear–renewable hybrid energy systems that can provide outputs at the rates necessary to meet demand. SMR also allows the proximity of nuclear reactor to industry which is often required to transfer heat without significant loss.
It’s Back to the Future with Microgrids
Published in Stephen A. Roosa, Fundamentals of Microgrids, 2020
Small nuclear reactors have potential to power microgrids in the future. Advanced small modular reactors (SMRs) are currently being developed in the U.S. which can be used for power generation, process heat, desalination, or specific industrial applications [24]. They vary in output from a few to hundreds of megawatts and use light water coolants or non-light water coolants such as a gas, liquid metal, or molten salt [24]. They can be installed in multiples and sized to match the electrical load requirements of a university campus, small town, or military base.
LQG/LTR Controller Design for Power Control of Small Pressurized Water Reactors Under Four Feedback-Controlled Strategies
Published in Nuclear Science and Engineering, 2023
Shifa Wu, Jiashuang Wan, Zhi Chen, Longtao Liao, Kai Xiao, Pengfei Wang
As defined by the International Atomic Energy Agency, small modular reactors are those with an electrical power of 300 MW(electric) or less.1 Compared to large reactors, small modular reactors can be built in bulk and modularly, which significantly reduces the cost and construction cycle. Moreover, they have low site requirements, do not require harsh site geography, and generally have inherent safety features. After the Fukushima accident, small modular reactors are once again getting much attention owing to their safety and economical features and versatility. Among different types of small modular reactors, small pressurized water reactors (SPWRs) are the most technologically mature designs. A variety of SPWRs, such as Marine Reactor X (MRX) (Ref. 2), International Reactor Innovative and Secure (IRIS) (Ref. 3), mPower (Ref. 4), and NuScale (Ref. 5), have emerged in recent years. The design of control systems is one of the important tasks in the development of small reactors, and an efficient reactor power control system is a prerequisite for the safe and stable operation of nuclear reactors. SPWRs are expected to process flexible operating conditions with strong external disturbances, and many of them employ the once-through steam generator (OTSG) that has very complex operating characteristics, so it is necessary to study robust reactor power control methods for SPWRs.
Experimental Study of Blowdown Event in a PWR-Type Small Modular Reactor
Published in Nuclear Technology, 2019
Guanyi Wang, Yikuan Yan, Shanbin Shi, Zhuoran Dang, Xiaohong Yang, Mamoru Ishii
The small modular reactor (SMR) is one kind of advanced nuclear reactor that provides an option for the demand of safe and clean energy. The term “small” refers to the smaller volume and less electrical power of a SMR compared to traditional light water reactors, while the term “modular” means that several SMRs can be grouped together as a larger nuclear power plant as well as the components of the reactor are modularized for easy construction.1 In some SMR designs, such as Mitsubishi’s Integral Modular Reactor,2 Purdue University’s Novel Modular Reactor3,4 (NMR), the NuScale Power Reactor,5 etc., natural circulation–driven flow is utilized to transfer the fission energy, which can eliminate the primary loop circulating pump and greatly simplify the reactor design. In addition, passive safety systems are also utilized to manage various design-basis accidents. Thus, SMR designs can be easier to construct and simpler to operate compared to traditional nuclear reactors.
Reactor Core Power Distribution Reconstruction Method by Ex-Core Detectors Based on the Correlation Effect Between Fuel Regions
Published in Nuclear Science and Engineering, 2021
Rei Kimura, Yuki Nakai, Satoshi Wada
The SMR is a microreactor that has less than 10-MW(electric) power output and is particularly suitable for distributed energy resources. Recently designed microreactors are expected to have improved safety and component reliability while reducing the initial installation cost. For safety, core monitoring is needed to detect abnormal behavior and identify its cause. The locations of core monitors are important for safe reactor operation, and almost all nuclear reactors are equipped with in-core detectors. However, typical in-core detectors are neutron detectors inside the reactor vessel, and they are expensive because of their operation in a severe environment and the difficulty of maintenance.