#small-modular-reactors — Public Fediverse posts

Small Modular Reactors gelten als neues Zukunftsversprechen der Atomindustrie. Doch welche Interessen stehen hinter den aktuellen SMR-Plänen der EU – und welche Folgen hätten sie für Sicherheit, #Atommüll und Energiepolitik in Europa?

Die Fachtagung „Kleine Reaktoren, große Fragen“ diskutiert Hintergründe, Risiken und politische Strategien rund um #SMR.

📍 20. November 2026 · Hannover

Weitere Informationen folgen auf atommuellreport.de

#SmallModularReactors #Atomkraft #AtomkraftNeinDanke

Kehrt die Atomkraft mit "Mini-Reaktoren" zurück?

Mini-AKW, zu tausenden in Serie produziert – wäre das eine wirtschaftlich relevante Lösung der Energiekrise? Experten sehen die "Small Modular Reactors (SMR)" eher kritisch.

MDR FERNSEHEN Do 02.04.2026 13:35Uhr (Video, 1 min)

https://www.mdr.de/nachrichten/deutschland/politik/video-klartext-smr-atomkraft-100.html

#smr #atomkraftneindanke #smallmodularreactors

Can small nuclear reactors solve the EU’s energy woes?

Supporters say modular nuclear reactors are essential to meeting energy and climate goals, but critics slam them as a “costly distraction” that “won’t solve any of our energy problems.”

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260407-can-small-nuclear-reactors-solve-the-eus-energy-woes?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#NuclearPower #Energy #SmallModularReactors #Europe #EU

Did Wales ask for this or is this more Colonial Dumping like they do with Scotland?
At least we resisted the US getting involved.
Nuclear Power is great for Space, a boondoggle on Earth.....

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/nov/13/us-disappointed-that-rolls-royce-will-build-uks-first-small-modular-reactors

#NuclearPower #Wales #SmallModularReactors #RollsRoyce

This article on #SmallNuclearReactors (or #SmallModularReactors #SMR) bears some striking similarities to the #AIHype:

"This vision never materialized. No turnkey reactors were carted cross-country or floated up rivers. Then, as earlier, they were deemed too expensive.

[...] Once again, we see history repeating itself in today’s claims for small reactors—that the demand will be large, that they will be cheap and quick to construct.

[...] In fact, the record is pretty clear: Without exception, small reactors cost too much for the little electricity they produced [...]"

https://spectrum.ieee.org/the-forgotten-history-of-small-nuclear-reactors

Current #AIModels easily cost twice their revenue. But not only training, also the sheer operation is becoming more and more expensive when usage grows. The way these (so called) businesses are run can not be sustained.

There is an irony in bringing up the obsolete small reactor idea every now and then for this deeply flawed technology.

#AIBubble #GenerativeAI #AISlop #LLM

#Wind and #solar will power #datacenters more cheaply than #SMR
#Renewables blow past #nuclear when it comes to cheap #datacenter juice
Study finds microgrids with wind, solar, and batteries can be built years sooner and at lower cost than #smallmodularreactors (SMRs) https://www.theregister.com/2025/09/26/renewables_vs_smr_datacenter/

A sobering read:

https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2025/09/22/New-Nuclear-Fever-Debunked/

#NuclearEnergy #SMR #SmallModularReactors #Alberta #Ontario #Canada

Five Things the “#NuclearBros” Don’t Want You to Know About #SmallModularReactors #SMRs

by #EdwinLyman, director of nuclear power safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists (#UCS)
April 30, 2024

"Even casual followers of energy and climate issues have probably heard about the alleged wonders of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). This is due in no small part to the 'nuclear bros': an active and seemingly tireless group of #NuclearPower advocates [#Trolls] who dominate social media discussions on energy by promoting SMRs and other 'advanced' #nuclear technologies as the only real solution for the #ClimateCrisis.

"But as I showed in my 2013 and 2021 reports, the hype surrounding SMRs is way overblown, and my conclusions remain valid today.

"Unfortunately, much of this SMR happy talk is rooted in #misinformation, which always brings me back to the same question: If the nuclear bros have such a great SMR story to tell, why do they have to exaggerate so much?

What are SMRs?

"SMRs are nuclear reactors that are 'small' (defined as 300 megawatts of electrical power or less), can be largely assembled in a centralized facility, and would be installed in a modular fashion at power generation sites. Some proposed SMRs are so tiny (20 megawatts or less) that they are called 'micro' reactors. SMRs are distinct from today’s conventional nuclear plants, which are typically around 1,000 megawatts and were largely custom-built. Some SMR designs, such as #NuScale, are modified versions of operating water-cooled reactors, while others are radically different designs that use coolants other than water, such as liquid sodium, helium gas, or even molten salts.

"To date, however, theoretical interest in SMRs has not translated into many actual reactor orders. The only SMR currently under construction is in China. And in the United States, only one company—#TerraPower, founded by Microsoft’s Bill Gates — has applied to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for a permit to build a power reactor (but at 345 megawatts, it technically isn’t even an SMR).

"The #NuclearIndustry has pinned its hopes on SMRs primarily because some recent large reactor projects, including #Vogtle units 3 and 4 in the state of #GeorgiaUSA, have taken far longer to build and cost far more than originally projected. The failure of these projects to come in on time and under budget undermines arguments that modern nuclear power plants can overcome the problems that have plagued the nuclear industry in the past.

"Developers in the industry and the US Department of Energy say that SMRs can be less costly and quicker to build than large reactors and that their modular nature makes it easier to balance power supply and demand. They also argue that reactors in a variety of sizes would be useful for a range of applications beyond grid-scale electrical power, including providing process heat to industrial plants and power to #DataCenters, #cryptocurrency mining operations, petrochemical production, and even electrical vehicle [#EV] charging stations.

"Here are five facts about SMRs that the nuclear industry and the 'nuclear bros' who push its message don’t want you, the public, to know."

Read more:
https://blog.ucs.org/edwin-lyman/five-things-the-nuclear-bros-dont-want-you-to-know-about-small-modular-reactors/

#HoltecLies #NuclearPower #NuclearLies #TEPCOLied #NoNukes #NoNukesForAI #NuclearPowerCorruptionAndLies

Bihar to Get Its First Nuclear Power Plant, Centre Grants Approval.

https://aliyesha.com/sub/articles/news/display/bh_bihar_to_get_nuclear_plant

#bihar #patna #india #news #press #nuclear #nuclearenergy #nuclearpower #nuclearplant #smallmodularreactors #NDA #NDA4Bihar #Jdubihar

Enjoy tracker free reading with us. #privacy #privacymatters

KOSPI opens slightly higher as US Treasury yields stabilize, with Doosan Enerbility and Hyundai Construction gaining amid SMR hype, while Shinpoong Pharmaceutical surges on renewed COVID-19 concerns
#YonhapInfomax #KOSPI #USTreasuryYields #ShinpoongPharmaceutical #SmallModularReactors #COVID19 #Economics #FinancialMarkets #Banking #Securities #Bonds #StockMarket
https://en.infomaxai.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=64472

People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo pledges to expand nuclear power generation to 60%, aiming to halve electricity rates and boost South Korea's nuclear industry competitiveness.
#YonhapInfomax #NuclearPowerExpansion #ElectricityRates #KimMoonSoo #SmallModularReactors #EnergyPolicy #Economics #FinancialMarkets #Banking #Securities #Bonds #StockMarket
https://en.infomaxai.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=60816

Five Things the Nuclear Bros Don't Want You to Know About Small Modular Reactors

https://blog.ucs.org/edwin-lyman/five-things-the-nuclear-bros-dont-want-you-to-know-about-small-modular-reactors/

#HackerNews #NuclearEnergy #SmallModularReactors #RenewableEnergy #EnergyPolicy #ClimateChange

Hong Jun-pyo, People Power Party candidate, pledges to build 4 Small Modular Reactors by 2032 for AI power supply, aiming to lead global SMR commercialization
#YonhapInfomax #HongJunPyo #SmallModularReactors #AIPowerSupply #NuclearEnergy #TechnologyPolicy #Economics #FinancialMarkets #Banking #Securities #Bonds #StockMarket
https://en.infomaxai.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=60401

South Korean construction giants Hyundai, Samsung, and DL E&C compete for $370 billion SMR market, leveraging partnerships and investments to secure global dominance in next-generation nuclear technology
#YonhapInfomax #SmallModularReactors #HyundaiEngineering #SamsungCT #DLEC #NuclearEnergyMarket #Economics #FinancialMarkets #Banking #Securities #Bonds #StockMarket
https://en.infomaxai.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=57384

Terrestrial Energy Goes Public With Gain of $280M

• Terrestrial Energy Goes Public with Net of $280 Million
• SMR Developers Get Ready to Submit License Applications to NRC
• DOE Re-Issues $900 Million Solicitation For SMRs
• INL Seeks Industry Sponsors for $5-10 Million to Invest in Nuclear Startups

Terrestrial Energy Goes Public with Net of $280 Million

• Terrestrial Energy merged with a special acquisition company
• The firm expects to net $280 million from the deal

The combined entity of Terrestrial Energy and HCM II Acquisition Corp expects to list on Nasdaq under the symbol ISMR. Proceeds will be used to accelerate commercial deployment of Terrestrial Energy’s IMSR technology and to pay transaction expenses. Prior to the SPAC merger, Terrestrial Energy had raised $94 million, according to PitchBook.

The ticker IMSR is a reference to Terrestrial Energy’s design of small modular reactor (SMR), which it calls an integral molten salt reactor. The startup is targeting a range of markets, including electric power, data centers, and industrial applications that require process heat.

The transaction will provide approximately $280 million in gross proceeds consisting of $50 million in common stock PIPE commitments at $10.00 per share from new non-affiliated fundamental institutional investors, and approximately $230 million of cash held in HCM II Acquisition Corp.’s (HCM II) trust account before potential redemption.

HCM II Acquisition Corp. (HCM II) is a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, amalgamation, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. HCM II’s Class A ordinary shares and warrants are listed on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbols “HOND” and “HONDW”, respectively.

HCM II’s management team is led by Shawn Matthews, its Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and Steven Bischoff, its President and Chief Financial Officer. HCM II’s Board of Directors includes Andrew Brenner, Michael J. Connor and Jacob Loveless.

Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. is acting as exclusive capital markets advisor and sole PIPE placement agent. King & Spalding LLP is acting as legal advisor to HCM II. Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP is acting as legal advisor to Terrestrial Energy. DLA Piper LLP (US) acted as legal counsel to the placement agent, Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.

Key Markets for the IMSR

Terrestrial Energy’s IMSR plant technology is focused on several growth sectors, including data center power supply, industrial heat and power, grid power, and the production of advanced low-carbon fuels and materials.

The company has multiple partnerships and agreements with Westinghouse Fuels, Energy Solutions, Schneider Electric, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and Argonne National Laboratory, among others.

Texas A&M University recently selected Terrestrial Energy to partner on the construction of a commercial IMSR plant at the Texas A&M RELLIS campus, contributing to the university’s goal of achieving 1 GW of generating capacity at the site by the mid-2030s.

https://youtu.be/ncKGUj6FN1E?feature=shared

Progress with Canadian and US Nuclear Regulatory Agencies

In 2023 the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) completed its programmatic Vendor Design Review of the IMSR plant design, the first Generation IV reactor design to complete Canada’s CNSC Vendor Design Review, and a historic industry first for a nuclear plant powered with molten salt reactor technology.

The company’s Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) engagement commenced in 2016 and includes a successful inter-agency joint review of the IMSR technology under a CNSC-U.S. NRC Memorandum of Cooperation and concurrent with the CNSC’s completion of the Vendor Design Review.

About Terrestrial Energy’s IMSR

Terrestrial Energy’s reactor core is designed to be entirely replaced every seven years, in part to head off some of the problems earlier molten salt reactors experienced like corrosion. The reactor core includes not only the fuel and graphite modulators that regulate the speed of the fission reactions, but also the heat exchangers and pumps that keep the salt cool and flowing.

The company’s IMSR plant design, consisting of two operating IMSRs, has an 822 MWth / 390 MWe capacity. Terrestrial Energy’s IMSR technology is differentiated from legacy nuclear technology through its use of molten salt reactor technology, which offers high efficiency and inherently safe operation.

Terrestrial Energy’s IMSR plants are designed to make use of low-cost, readily available Standard-Assay Low Enriched Uranium (LEU enriched to under 5% U235) fuel, enabling secure and scalable fuel supply chains necessary for widespread fleet deployment.

Terrestrial Energy believes the use of LEU fuel is a key competitive advantage given significant challenges to the commercial supply of High-Assay Low- Enriched Uranium (HALEU is enriched to between 15% and 20% U235) due to geopolitical tensions.

There are many proposals to build commercial-scale molten salt reactors, but to date, none has been built. The basic technology was invented in the 1950s at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. However, these designs did not proceed to commercial implementation.

Terrestrial Energy isn’t the first SMR startup to use a SPAC — Sam Altmans Oklo completed its deal in 2024. However, X-Energy exited a SPAC deal shortly after the termination of NuScale’s project in Idaho and reverted to being a privately held company.

& & &

SMR Developers Get Ready to Submit License Applications to NRC

(WNN) Oklo Inc and Deep Atomic Inc are preparing pre-application engagements with with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for their respective projects: Oklo Inc is engaging with the regulator ahead of an application to construct and operate an Aurora Powerhouse at Idaho National Laboratory, while Deep Atomic is planning to apply for design certification of its MK60 small modular reactor.

NRC pre-application activities mainly occur through three processes: white papers/technical reports, topical reports, and readiness assessments. These documents request NRC feedback on technical, programmatic, regulatory, or administrative topics that may involve challenging issues, describe new/novel approaches, involve policy issues that require Commission involvement, or are technical areas that applicant/vendors have little experience.

SMR Developers Engage With US Regulators

NRC policy regulating advanced nuclear reactors encourages potential applicants to engage with its staff “early and often” in the design process to help minimize complexity and add stability and predictability in the licensing and regulation process.

Oklo is engaging with the NRC through a Pre-Application Readiness Assessment for the combined license application (COLA) it intends to submit later this year. The readiness assessment allows NRC staff to review and familiarize themselves with Oklo’s licensing materials ahead of the full application so that both sides can prepare for an efficient and cost-effective review

The Readiness Assessment will begin later this month, and will address the content of the first phase of Oklo’s COLA submission, which will include information on the siting and environmental portions of the application. Oklo plans to submit a formal COLA later this year, with plans for follow on-applications for an order pipeline of 14 GW.

The Aurora powerhouse is a fast neutron reactor capable of producing electricity – up to 50 MWe – or heat. Oklo received a site use permit from the US Department of Energy in 2019 to build and operate a prototype reactor at Idaho National Laboratory and is working towards site characterization for the first-of-a-kind plant.

The firm plans to submit its combined license application after 10/01/25 which is the date at which the NRC’s planned 55% hourly reduction in fees takes place for applications by developers of advanced reactors.

Oklo’s first reactor, which is to be built at a site on the Idaho National Laboratory, will use HALEU fuel derived from the EBR II project. While there is enough for a first fuel loading, like other advanced reactors developers, the firm is facing a challenge to secure enough fuel for future new builds especially at multi-unit sites supporting data centers.

It will be 2030 or later before production of HALEU fuel by US suppliers is up to speed. Oklo noted in the investor briefing that it is also building a spent fuel recycling facility and fuel fabrication plant at the Idaho lab which will provide the fuel for its commercial installations.

Oklo said in an investor briefing last week that it has expanded the power rating of its advanced reactor to 75 MW to meet requirements for power by large data center customers. The firm said in the briefing the change will take place, “without any notable technical, design, or regulatory complexities.”

The firm’s ambitions to build out 14 GW of power for multiple customers translates into about 190 of the 75 MW units. The firm’s business model is one of build, own, and operate the reactors at customer sites. Each reactor the firm builds and operates becomes a continuous revenue stream for the firm. The firm said in its briefing that the larger reactor design is more fuel efficient and allows its customers to achieve needed electrical generation with fewer reactors.

Deep Atomic Design certification

Deep Atomic formally notified the NRC in a letter dated 03/01/25 of its intent to begin the Pre-Application Process for the Design Certification of its MK60 SMR. The MK60 SMR uses pressurized light water reactor technology, and is designed to produce 60 MW of electricity. It is specifically intended to cater for data centers. The Zurich, Switzerland-headquartered company says its target date for the project (series manufacturing) is the fourth quarter of 2029.

“We are looking forward to working collaboratively with the NRC to ensure a transparent, efficient, and thorough review process throughout all stages of the licensing process,” Deep Atomic CEO William Theron said in the letter to the NRC.

Deep Atomic initiated the consultation with the NRC in October last year. It aims to submit its regulatory engagement plan this coming July and the design certification application by the fourth quarter of 2027. It told the NRC that it also intends to submit an application for an Early Site Permit – which certifies that a site is suitable for the construction of a nuclear power plant from the point of view of site safety, environmental impact and emergency planning – by the fourth quarter of 2027, but without naming a proposed site. Eventually, the firm will have to select a location for the ESP.

Deep Atomic recently issued a white paper on its vision for co-location of SMRs at data centers to provide a fully integrated, optimized power and cooling generation solution. The company says it views the data center and the SMR as parts of one integrated system rather than two separate entities.

& & &

DOE Re-Issues $900 Million Solicitation For Generation III+ SMRs

(NucNet) The US Department of Energy (DOE) on 03/24/25 re-issued a $900m (€831m) solicitation to support the deployment of Generation III+ small modular reactors (SMRs). The re-issued solicitation specifies light-water reactor (LWR) technologies.

Among the changes, “all community benefits requirements, and related elements, have been removed from the solicitation.” The previous solicitation required a community benefit plan that considered four factors: local engagement, alignment of community benefits with community priorities, quality local jobs, and support for underrepresented groups. The previous solicitation put 20% of the evaluation for a funding award on these factors.

The original solicitation was issued in October 2024. The new solicitation has  the objective of achieving “grid-scale deployment of “domestic Gen III+ SMR technologies that are reliable, able to be licensed, commercially viable, and have a demonstrated path towards a multi-reactor order book.”

Three Applicants Likely Among Others

While the solicitation is open to all comers, three applicants to the previous RFP are likely submit bids for this one. They include;

Constellation had teamed with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to support an early site permit from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for one or more advanced nuclear reactors at the Nine Mile Point site in upstate New York.

TVA applied to “accelerate construction of an SMR at TVA’s Clinch River Project, in Oak Ridge, TN,, by two years—with commercial operation planned for 2033.” The selected SMR is the GE-Hitachi BWRX-300.

TVA’s partners include Bechtel, BWX Technologies, Duke Energy, the Electric Power Research Institute, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, Indiana Michigan Power, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Sargent & Lundy, Scot Forge, and North American Forgemasters.

Arizona Public Service had partnered with the Salt River Project and Tucson Electric Power. It focused on site selection efforts with a site picked by the end of the decade and having an SMR in revenue service in the early 2040s.

DOE’s Risk Reduction Strategy

The DOE said the re-issued solicitation offers funding to de-risk the deployment of Generation III+ light-water small modular reactors through two tiers.

Tier 1 will provide up to $800 million to support up to two “first mover” teams of utility, reactor vendor, constructor, and end-users or off-takers committed to deploying a first plant and developing a multi-reactor, Generation III+ SMR order book.

Tier 2 will provide approximately $100 million to spur additional Generation III+ SMR deployments by addressing key gaps that have hindered the domestic nuclear industry in areas such as design, licensing, supply chain, and site preparation.

Why DOE Wants SMRs

The DOE said US electricity demand is forecast to soar in the coming years driven by consumer needs, data center growth, increased AI use, and the industrial sector’s need for constant power.

SMRs could provide reliable power for these energy-intensive sectors, with the added benefit of flexible deployment thanks to their compact size and modular design.

Light-water SMRs could also make use of the existing service and supply chain, including LEU fuel, e.g., less than 5% U235, supporting the country’s current fleet of LWRs. This would help speed up the near-term deployment of new nuclear reactors, the DOE said.

Generation III+ plants incorporate passive safety features which require no active controls. They can shut down safely in an emergency without the need for operator action or electronic feedback. There is no precise definition of Generation III+, but full size plants already in operation that include Generation III+ features include the Westinghouse AP1000, Areva’s EPR and Russia’s VVER 1200. Many generation III+ SMR plants, e.g, less than 300 MW, are under development by multiple developers, but none are yet in operation.

& & &

Idaho National Laboratory Seeks Industry Sponsors for $5-10 Million to Invest in  Nuclear Startups

The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is seeking an industry sponsor to invest $5 million to $10 million in a privately funded innovation incubator. This program will combine the power of a national laboratory with private sector commercialization knowledge to unleash breakthrough innovations by finding and supporting promising startups in the areas of nuclear energy, integrated energy systems, cybersecurity and advanced materials.

The innovation incubator seeks to provide seed-stage startups aligned with the private sector sponsor’s strategic investment priorities with access to INL’s world-class facilities and technical expertise, which can de-risk and advance their innovations. This is a unique opportunity to support promising startups and be at the forefront of innovation.

INL and the private sector sponsor will jointly issue nationwide calls for entrepreneurs and startups to identify American technologies and talent. This effort will develop and narrow into a small cohort of top candidates who will be selected for investment. The incubator provides the private sector sponsor with direct access to a pipeline of innovation at a fraction of the cost of conventional acquisition. Sponsor benefits include:

Pipeline to innovation: The incubator delivers a turnkey source of cutting-edge American innovation in the private sector sponsor’s areas of strategic interest, providing valuable new growth opportunities.

Technology de-risking: National laboratory scientists and laboratory capabilities that provide unparalleled technical due diligence for identified opportunities and subsequent acceleration of technology advancement, resulting in opportunities that are substantially de-risked.

Publicity for advancing American innovation: Partnering with INL adds credibility, goodwill and visibility to the private sector sponsor’s investments, demonstrating viable leadership in technical innovation.

Interested industry sponsors can contact [email protected] for more information.

#  # #

#nuclearPower #SmallModularReactors

KB Securities identifies Hyundai E&C and Doosan Enerbility as top picks in SMR supply chain, highlighting potential growth amid U.S. nuclear expansion plans
#YonhapInfomax #SmallModularReactors #HyundaiEngineeringConstruction #DoosanEnerbility #SupplyChain #NuclearEnergy #Economics #FinancialMarkets #Banking #Securities #Bonds #StockMarket
https://en.infomaxai.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=55290

KEPCO KPS and Daewoo E&C form strategic partnership to develop Small Modular Reactor technology, aiming to lead in domestic and global nuclear power markets
#YonhapInfomax #KEPCOKPS #DaewooEC #SmallModularReactors #NuclearPower #StrategicPartnership #Economics #FinancialMarkets #Banking #Securities #Bonds #StockMarket
https://en.infomaxai.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=54090

HD Hyundai partners with Bill Gates' TerraPower to develop advanced Small Modular Reactors, aiming to expand supply chain and accelerate commercialization of sodium-cooled fast reactors.
#YonhapInfomax #HDHyundai #TerraPower #SmallModularReactors #BillGates #NuclearEnergy #Economics #FinancialMarkets #Banking #Securities #Bonds #StockMarket
https://en.infomaxai.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=53815

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power issues Asia's first nuclear green bond, raising 215 billion won for safety improvements and next-generation nuclear technology development
#YonhapInfomax #KHNP #NuclearGreenBond #AsiaFirst #NuclearSafety #SmallModularReactors #Economics #FinancialMarkets #Banking #Securities #Bonds #StockMarket
https://en.infomaxai.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=52967

• DOE to Award $900M to Build Small Modular Nuclear Reactors
• DOE Approves Conceptual Safety Design Report for Oklo’s Fuel Fabrication Facility
• Last Energy Announces Plans For £300 Million Microreactor Project In Wales
• First SMR Projects Selected by European Industrial Alliance

DOE to Award $900M to Build Gen III+ Small Nuclear Reactors

• The U.S. Department of Energy opened up applications for $900 million in grants to help deploy next-generation small modular reactors
• Partially funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the money will be used to help companies and utilities build so-called Generation III nuclear plants that are modular and incorporate enhanced safety measures
• Investing in America funding will help catalyze development of generation III+ light-water small modular reactors
• The country will need an extra 700 to 900 gigawatts of zero-emissions energy to meet the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050

The Department of Energy (DOE) opened applications for up to $900 million in funding to support the initial domestic deployment of Generation III+ (Gen III+) small modular reactor (SMR) technologies.

DOE plans to use this funding—made possible in part by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—to spur deployment of advanced reactor technologies and encourage follow-on reactor projects.

The announcement aims to assist the private sector in establishing a credible and sustainable pathway to deploying a fleet of Gen III+ SMRs across the country that  reinforces America’s leadership in the nuclear industry.  (Image: Microsoft Bing Image Creator)

“Revitalizing America’s nuclear sector is key to adding more carbon free energy to the grid and meeting the needs of our growing economy—from AI and data centers to manufacturing and healthcare,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. .”

“Next-generation nuclear energy will play an important role in building the clean power sector of the future,” said Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy John Podesta.

“President Biden and Vice President Harris made a big bet on America’s energy potential, and this Administration’s investments to jumpstart our nuclear future are paying off in a big way,” said White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi.

DOE estimates the U.S. will need approximately 700-900 GW of additional power generation capacity to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Nuclear power is a proven option that could be deployed to meet this growing demand.

Utilities are looking to extend the lifespan of current nuclear reactors, planning to uprate reactor capacity, reversing plans to close reactors, and even restarting formerly closed reactors.

At the same time, they are exploring building new reactors to meet the fast-growing demand for carbon-free energy. Designed with a variety of capabilities, sizes, and deployment scenarios in mind, SMRs can be used for power generation, process heat, desalination, and more.

In particular, SMRs offer the potential for greater modularity, more factory-style construction, and the ability to be matched with loads and scaled to meet demand.

Additionally, Gen III+ SMRs may be able to revitalize and leverage the expertise, workforce, and supply chains supporting the existing fleet of large light-water reactor designs, thus providing a near-term path for new nuclear deployments and operation.

DOE Anticipates Offering Funding in Two Tiers

Tier 1: First Mover Team Support, managed by the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED), will provide up to $800M for milestone-based awards to support up to two first mover teams of utility, reactor vendor, constructor, and end-users/off-takers committed to deploying a first plan. Also, the projects will facilitate a multi-reactor, Gen III+ SMR orderbook and the opportunity to work with the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to incorporate safeguards and security by design into the projects.

For Tier 1, teams must include a U.S. utility, reactor technology vendor, and engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) company with the lead applicant being the utility, end-user/off-taker, a development company, or incorporated consortium.

Tier 2: Fast Follower Deployment Support, managed by the Office of Nuclear Energy (NE), will provide up to $100M to spur additional Gen III+ SMR deployments by addressing key gaps that have hindered the domestic nuclear industry in areas such as design, licensing, supplier development, and site preparation.

Tier 2 funding is sorted into three different categories, for which applicants must be either planned project owners or utilities, or entities looking to improve the capability, capacity, or cost competitiveness of the domestic supply chain for Gen III+ SMRs. Read the solicitation for full eligibility criteria.

Contract Eligibility Criteria

This solicitation makes available approximately $900 million in federal funds for projects that will create a credible and sustainable pathway to fleet-level deployment of Gen III+ SMRs. Gen III+ SMRs can provide around-the-clock electricity or process heat to meet the increasing demand for clean, reliable, firm electricity generation or process heat required by U.S. industries.

In particular, SMRs offer the potential for modularity, factory construction, and scalability to meet demand. Additionally, Gen III+ SMRs may be able to revitalize and leverage the service and supply chain infrastructure supporting the existing fleet of light water reactor designs, thus providing a near-term path for new nuclear deployments.

However, a demonstration project is critical to overcoming the first-of-a-kind commercial adoption challenges for Gen III+ SMR technology, including:

Cost Reliability – Delivered cost of recent reactor projects, including cost-overruns and project non-completion, has constrained nuclear energy relative to competing baseload technologies, such as natural gas.

Resource Maturity – Multiple factors have hindered adoption including:

• Capital Flow – Delays and non-completion of past nuclear projects has resulted in capital flow constraints, where the return of capital and return on capital are on time horizons that inhibit investors and significantly impact an owner’s credit rating.
• Project Development, Integration, and Management – There is no leading constructor for new nuclear projects and the lack of integrated project delivery models has constrained prior projects.
• Manufacturing and Supply Chain – The current domestic nuclear supply chain faces severe bottlenecks on long-lead procurements for major project components. This lack of resilience in capacity, capability, and cost competitiveness is forcing procurements overseas.
• Workforce – The limited number of nuclear-qualified workers, such as welders and plant operators, presents a challenge to scaling nuclear deployments.

Licensing Uncertainty – The risk of licensing new technologies, including the timeframe and cost associated with receiving NRC approval of new nuclear designs, drives hesitancy for potential adopters.

Funding applications will be selected based on the expectations and details described throughout this solicitation. Priority will be given to projects with (1) the highest probability of a successful deployment, (2) the greatest potential to develop a Gen III+ SMR orderbook, and (3) the greatest potential contribution to the resilience of the domestic nuclear industry.

Application Information

Applications are due on January 17, 2025, at 5pm ET. For more information, visit the Gen III+ SMR engagement webpage Applicants may wish to register for the informational webinar on October 22, 2024 [registration link]

Questions about the solicitation may be directed to [email protected]. Questions about navigating OCED eXCHANGE may be directed to [email protected].

Learn more about how OCED, NE, and the Department’s updated Pathways to Advanced Nuclear Commercial Liftoff support the research, development, demonstration, and deployment of technologies that will help the U.S. nuclear sector support our nation’s ambitious goal of a net-zero emissions by 2050.

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DOE Approves Conceptual Safety Design Report for Oklo’s Aurora Fuel Fabrication Facility

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)  approved the conceptual design for Oklo Inc.’s Aurora Fuel Fabrication Facility. The new facility will be located at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and will help turn used material recovered from DOE’s former EBR-II reactor into usable fuel for its advanced nuclear power plant. Oklo anticipates the first commercial Aurora powerhouse will be deployed in 2027.

Fuel for Aurora

The Conceptual Safety Design Report was first submitted earlier this year to DOE’s Idaho Operations Office, which is responsible for the nuclear safety and regulatory authority for the project. The approval of the design concept is an important step in demonstrating advanced fuel recycling technologies.

The Aurora powerhouse is a liquid-metal-cooled fast reactor that is designed to operate on both fresh high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) and used nuclear fuel.  The new facility will fabricate fuel using HALEU sourced from EBR-II.

(EBR-II HALEU Fuel. Image: INL)

Oklo has been granted access to 5 metric tons of HALEU as part of a cooperative agreement with INL that was competitively awarded in 2019. The newly fabricated fuel will be used to power the initial Aurora powerhouse reactor core at INL. DOE will retain ownership of the HALEU both during and after its use.

What’s Next?

Oklo will continue to work with INL to complete the facility design and obtain DOE approval before the start of construction.

Last month, Oklo finalized agreements with DOE to begin site characterization of their preferred location for the Aurora powerhouse reactor to support their combined license application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Oklo has also received previous DOE support through several GAIN vouchers to advance its Aurora powerhouse design, along with additional funding to demonstrate recycling technologies through ARPA-E.  Learn more about the GAIN program.

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Last Energy Announces Plans For £300 Million Microreactor Project In Wales

• Commercial discussions have begun with ‘range of local industrial customers’

(NucNet) US startup Last Energy plans to build a £300M (€359M, $391M) micro nuclear project in Wales to supply local industrial customers, the company said on Tuesday.

Last Energy UK, a subsidiary of Washington-based Last Energy, said it would not require any public funding for the project on a former coal plant site in Bridgend, south Wales, which could be generating power in 2027.

The company said it was in commercial discussions with a range of local industrial customers and that power purchase agreements were expected to underpin the finances of the project.

It said it has begun site surveys and the planning process to build the plants on a vacant site that housed the coal-fired Llynfi Power Station, about 40 km west of the Welsh capital Cardiff, from 1951 to 1977.

Last Energy’s plants will deliver power to mid-size manufacturers throughout the region, providing 24/7 baseload power and putting the local economy on a path toward industrial decarbonization.

The company plans to source at least 10% of its needs from South Wales suppliers, translating to a £30 million local economic investment (not including business rates collected by Bridgend County) and at least 100 local full-time jobs.

Last Energy’s flagship product is the PWR-20, a 20 MW micro-nuclear power plant based on established pressurized water reactor (PWR) nuclear technology. It uses standard PWR fuel.

According to Last Energy, the “plug and play” PWR-20 combines proven nuclear technology with modular construction to deploy on time and on budget. The company says it has non-binding commercial agreements for 80 units throughout Europe, most of which will be developed throughout the UK.

Last Energy UK chief executive officer Michael Jenner said Last Energy’s emphasis on mass-manufacturability allows it to deliver significantly smaller plants in under 24 months with purely private financing.

Last Energy said previously it has been in contact with the UK Office of Nuclear Regulation (ONR) regarding licensing under the generic design assessments (GDA) process. However, so far the firm has not announced completion of any of the key milestones of the GDA nor an expected date for completion of it. The process is expensive and can take up to four years to complete.

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First SMR Projects Selected by European Industrial Alliance

(WNN) The European Commission has selected nine small modular reactor projects – including two lead-cooled fast reactors – in the initial round of applications to form Project Working Groups under the European Industrial Alliance on SMRs.

The European Commission (EC) launched an Industrial Alliance dedicated to SMRs in February this year, aiming to facilitate the development of SMRs in Europe by the early 2030s.

The Alliance works through working groups to improve the conditions for the development and deployment of SMRs, including rebuilding the supply chain for nuclear power. The activities aim to support specific SMR projects and accelerate their deployment on the European market.

The EC said the initial membership call elicited responses from more than 300 stakeholders, encompassing SMR technology designers, utilities, energy-intensive users, supply chain companies, research institutes, financial institutions, and civil society organizations. The alliance members and its governing board were formally confirmed at the inaugural General Assembly in Brussels on 29-30 May.

In pursuit of tangible project outcomes, in June the Alliance launched a call for SMR projects wishing to be considered for the Alliance’s Project Working Groups (PWGs). Subsequently, the governing board, with the assistance of the Alliance secretariat, conducted a review and assessment of the 22 applications received.

Following the second meeting of the governing board – held on 7 October – the first batch of SMR projects that would constitute the PWGs under the Alliance have been selected. They include:

• EU-SMR-LFR project (Ansaldo Nucleare, SCK-CEN, ENEA, RATEN);
• CityHeat project (Calogena,Steady Energy);
• Project Quantum (Last Energy); European LFR AS Project (Newcleo);
• Nuward (EDF);
• European BWRX-300 SMR (OSGE);
• Rolls-Royce SMR (Rolls-Royce SMR Ltd);
• NuScale VOYGR SMR (RoPower Nuclear SA); and
• Thorizon One project (Thorizon).

“Each of these projects will have the opportunity to constitute a PWG involving all partners interested in collaboration with the project,” the EC said.

The EC said most of the other projects that applied in the first assessment round and were not selected in the first batch of SMR projects will have the opportunity to submit a new application in the next round, which is expected to be organized in the second quarter of 2025.

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https://neutronbytes.com/2024/10/17/doe-to-award-900m-to-build-gen-iii-small-nuclear-reactors/

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