Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)

(General Studies III – Science and Technology Section – Developments and their Applications and Effects in Everyday Life; Indigenization of Technology and Developing New Technology.)

• Small modular reactors (SMRs) are advanced nuclear reactors with a power capacity of up to 300 MW(e) per unit, roughly one-third of the generating capacity of traditional nuclear power reactors.
• They are designed to be small, modular, and capable of producing a significant amount of low-carbon electricity.

Characteristics of SMRs –

1. Small: SMRs are physically a fraction of the size of conventional nuclear power reactors.
2. Modular: Systems and components can be factory-assembled and transported as a unit to a location for installation.
3. Reactors: SMRs harness nuclear fission to generate heat and produce energy.

Advantages of SMRs –

• Site Flexibility: Smaller footprint allows SMRs to be sited in locations not suitable for larger nuclear power plants.
• Affordability: Prefabricated units reduce construction costs and time, avoiding delays often seen with custom-designed large reactors.
• Incremental Deployment: Can be deployed incrementally to match increasing energy demand.
• Infrastructure and Accessibility:
• SMRs can address limited grid coverage in rural areas and high grid connection costs for rural electrification.
• Suitable for areas lacking sufficient transmission lines and grid capacity, as they can be installed into existing grids or operate off-grid.
• Particularly relevant for microreactors (a subset of SMRs with output up to 10 MW(e)), ideal for regions inaccessible to clean, reliable, and affordable energy, and as backup power supplies.
• Safety and Fuel Efficiency:
• SMRs often rely on passive safety systems that do not require human intervention, external power, or force to shut down.
• Reduced fuel requirements with refueling intervals of 3 to 7 years, compared to 1 to 2 years for conventional plants. Some SMRs are designed to operate up to 30 years without refueling.
• Role in Sustainable Development:
• SMRs can help increase efficiency and flexibility in energy systems, complementing variable renewable sources like wind and solar.
• Positioned to play a key role in the clean energy transition and support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (universal access to energy).

Current Status and Global Interest –

• Active development and construction in countries like Russia, Argentina, Canada, China, South Korea, and the USA.
• Over 80 commercial SMR designs targeting varied outputs and applications, including electricity, hybrid energy systems, heating, water desalination, and industrial steam.
• Russia’s Akademik Lomonosov, the world’s first floating nuclear power plant, operates with two 35 MW(e) SMRs.

Economic Competitiveness and Challenges –

• Although SMRs have lower upfront capital costs per unit, their economic competitiveness is still to be proven in practice.
• Potential to reduce costs and time in comparison to traditional nuclear power plants.
• Requires regulatory safeguards to prevent radioactive material from being diverted for military use, especially with the private sector’s involvement in nuclear power generation.

India’s Perspective –

• The Indian government plans to collaborate with the private sector to study and test SMRs.
• Nuclear energy remains a significant power source amidst the development of renewable technologies and the continued relevance of fossil fuels.
• The focus on SMRs aims to achieve higher energy output, modular design, smaller operational surface area, and lower capital costs.
• Regulatory and proliferation resistance concerns need to be addressed, with the first-generation SMRs using low-enriched uranium and subsequent generations potentially requiring more enriched uranium for longer continuous operation.

SMRs represent a promising technology for the future of nuclear power, offering benefits in terms of site flexibility, affordability, incremental deployment, and safety. They have the potential to support sustainable development goals and address energy needs in remote and rural regions. However, economic viability, regulatory challenges, and proliferation resistance are critical factors that need careful consideration for the successful deployment of SMRs.