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System Requirements For Alternative Nuclear Technologies (Phase 3) - Technical assessment of SMR heat extraction for district heat networks - Final Report

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Abstract:

Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs) are generally defined as nuclear reactors with a maximum electrical output below 300MWe. They are considered to have characteristics that are distinct from conventional large reactors and proponents claim that SMRs could offer a number of benefits to the UK’s future energy system, including the reliable provision of low-carbon electricity and heat, lower financing costs, and the opening up of additional sites closer to demand. At the present time however, there are still significant uncertainties relating to the cost, performance and deployment timetables of SMR technologies. This is the background context for the System Requirements for Alternative Nuclear Technologies (ANT) project, commissioned by the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI).

The overall 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. Mott MacDonald was appointed by the ETI to undertake this work, which was carried out in 3 phases between September 2014 and March 2016.

Phases 1 and 2 involved a wide-range of tasks aimed at understanding the role that SMRs could play in the UK’s future energy system and defining the functional and economic parameters for SMRs to fulfil this role.

The objective of Phase 3 was to validate the assumptions and expand the findings of our earlier work by undertaking more detailed engineering analysis. This analysis involved using proprietary industry standard software packages to undertake thermo-dynamic modelling of SMR plant steam cycles and cost modelling of plant equipment. This report represents the culmination of our Phase 3 work. It is concluded that SMR heat supply could be a significant benefit to both plant economics and the decarbonisation of the UK’s energy supply. The cost of designing and building SMR plants ready to supply future DH networks is relatively small, but the benefits are potentially large. This report may have relevance for organisations considering the potential deployment of SMRs into a future UK low carbon energy systems.

Publication Year:

2016

Publisher:

ETI

Author(s):

Friggens, S., Bell, P. Aufrance, D., Beaumont, R., Cook, D., Kaufmann, C. and Ashley, R.

Language:

English

File Type:

application/pdf

File Size:

5803533 B

Rights:

Energy Technologies Institute Open Licence for Materials

Rights Overview:

The Energy Technologies Institute is making this document available to use under the Energy Technologies Institute Open Licence for Materials. Please refer to the Energy Technologies Institute website for the terms and conditions of this licence. The Information is licensed "as is" and the Energy Technologies Institute excludes all representations, warranties, obligations and liabilities in relation to the Information to the maximum extent permitted by law. The Energy Technologies Institute is not liable for any errors or omissions in the Information and shall not be liable for any loss, injury or damage of any kind caused by its use. This exclusion of liability includes, but is not limited to, any direct, indirect, special, incidental, consequential, punitive, or exemplary damages in each case such as loss of revenue, data, anticipated profits, and lost business. The Energy Technologies Institute does not guarantee the continued supply of the Information. Notwithstanding any statement to the contrary contained on the face of this document, the Energy Technologies Institute confirms that it has the right to publish this document.

Further information:

N/A

Region:

United Kingdom

Publication Type:

Technical Report

Theme(s):

Nuclear