System Requirements For Alternative Nuclear Technologies - Project Summary Report

Abstract:

Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs) are defined as nuclear power reactors with a maximum electrical output below 300MWe. They are generally considered to have distinct characteristics that make them different from conventional large reactors (LRs), such as modular design with pre-fabrication in offsite factories and the potential to deploy multiple reactors at the same site to form larger power plants. Many SMRs are also being designed as ‘integral’ units, where all key primary system components are integrated within a single pressure vessel and surrounded by a containment structure. A number of countries and companies are at different stages in the design and development of SMR technology.

If the technology is successfully developed, proponents claim that SMRs have the potential to offer a number of benefits to the UK’s future energy system. These benefits include the reliable provision of lowcarbon electricity and heat, flexible deployment and the opening up of additional sites closer to demand. There could also be economic benefits to countries that establish themselves at the forefront of technology development and export. But despite this potential, there are currently significant uncertainties relating to the future costs and performance of SMR technologies and the suitability of different designs for the UK.

The purpose of the ANT project was to frame the UK energy system requirements for a small generic nuclear power plant with an output of up to 300MWe. In practical terms this meant defining the technical and economic parameters for an SMR to be of value to the UK’s energy system in the future. The ETI appointed Mott MacDonald to undertake this work with Rolls Royce as subcontractor to Mott MacDonald.

The project was primarily aimed at understanding what SMRs will ultimately need to ‘achieve’ in order to be deployed in the UK. Whether or not the UK has a role in technology development is not directly relevant in this context, although some aspects of technology development were considered during the project.

Author(s):

Firggens, S., Doyle, G., Scott, I. Ashley, R., Dodd, D. and Goodfellow, M.