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Advancing the Commercialization of Small Modular Reactors . Michael Kurth American Nuclear Society & Washington Internship for Students of Engineering. Benefits of Nuclear Power. Environmental Benefits Greenhouse Gas Emissions Comparable life cycle emissions to renewables Base-load Power
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Advancing the Commercialization of Small Modular Reactors Michael Kurth American Nuclear Society & Washington Internship for Students of Engineering
Benefits of Nuclear Power • Environmental Benefits • Greenhouse Gas Emissions • Comparable life cycle emissions to renewables • Base-load Power • Capability to provide constant power • Energy Diversity • All of the Above Energy Strategy to Mitigate Fluctuations in Energy Pricing • Nonproliferation • Strong Domestic Nuclear Program Positively Affects Nonproliferation Issues Abroad
4 Domestic Light Water SMRs Integral Pressurized Water Reactor (iPWR) Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) One Design • 3 Designs B&W NuScale Westinghouse Holtec http://www.generationmpower.com/ http://www.nuscalepower.com/overviewofnuscalestechnology.aspx http://www.westinghousenuclear.com/SMR/Westinghouse_SMR_Brochure.pdf http://www.smrllc.com/safety.html
Economic Advantages of SMRs over traditional nuclear power • Reduced Capital Costs • Larger Nuclear Power Plants can cost as much as 90% of the average annual revenues of a investor owned utility • More Utilities can use Nuclear • Reduced Construction Times • Leads to Faster Return on Investment • Modular • Allows Generation Capability to be Added Incrementally as Demand Increases
Advantages of SMRs over traditional nuclear power • Safety • NuScale’s Indefinite Cooling Scheme http://www.nuscalepower.com/triplecrown.aspx
Advantages of SMRs over traditional nuclear power • Underground Containment http://www.westinghousenuclear.com/SMR/Westinghouse_SMR_Brochure.pdf http://www.nuscalepower.com/reactorbuildingsandbarriers.aspx http://www.generationmpower.com/technology/deployment.asp http://www.smrllc.com/safety.html
Advantages of SMRs over traditional nuclear power • Transportability http://www.westinghousenuclear.com/SMR/Westinghouse_SMR_Brochure.pdf http://www.nuscalepower.com/small.aspx
Roadblocks to SMR Deployment • Economic Issues Vs. http://www.wikinvest.com/wiki/Economies_of_scale http://www.eenews.net/assets/2013/03/13/document_gw_01.pdf Economy of Scale Economy of Mass Production
Roadblocks to SMR Deployment • Licensing Issues • Security Staffing • Operator Staffing • Emergency Planning Zones
Roadblocks to SMR Deployment • Export Process http://ita.doc.gov/td/energy/Civil%20Nuclear%20Exporters%20Guide%20(FINAL).pdf
Program in Place to Assist in SMR deployment • DOE Funding Program • 2012 Initiated a 5 year 452 Million Dollar Program • Focused on design certification and licensing, but not construction • B&W Received first award for $150 million • Expected Deployment in 2022 • 2013 Initiated a Second Round of SMR Funding • Extended Timeline to 2025 • Received applications from other three vendors • Focuses on innovation and design certification
Additional Assistance and Policies Needed to Promote Successful Commercialization • Domestic Policies • Increase DOE Funding to Initial Announcement Levels • $150 million awarded to B&W increased to $226 million • Extend Timeline for Advanced Energy Credits for Manufacturers • Timeline is currently too short to properly allow for SMR manufacturing facility to take advantage of program • Government Facilities Act as a ‘First Mover’ • Power Purchase Agreements Allow Utilities to substantially reduce risk
Additional Assistance and Policies Needed to Promote Successful Commercialization • Export Policies • Allow 123 Agreements to be made case by case • There are factions calling for all 123 Agreements to require identical terms regarding reprocessing and enrichment capabilities • DOE modifications of Part 810 • Continue discussions with industry to ensure specific and appropriate scope of Part 810 • Create a Transparent Export Process • DOE does not have a modern system to follow the progress of export applications
Conclusion • Nuclear Energy has environmental, energy diversity, and nonproliferation positive effects • SMRs have added benefits over traditional nuclear power, which include added safety, reduced capital costs, and modularity • There are several marketplaces that have potential for SMRs but also have issues that must be overcome • Due to the nature of the economy of SMRs measures must be put in place to help assist with the initial lack of cost competitiveness • The Licensing Issues are in many cases onetime costs and the DOE should continue its support of resolution • The Export process should be streamlined and modernized to ensure timely deployment of SMR exports in the face of international competition.