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U.S. Strategy for Small Modular Reactors
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U.S. Strategy for
Small Modular Reactors
The Howard Baker Forum United States – Japan Roundtable
John E. Kelly Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Reactor Technologies
Office of Nuclear Energy U.S. Department of Energy
March 18, 2015
2
Committed to “All of the Above” Clean Energy Strategy
“By 2035, 80% of America’s electricity will come from clean energy sources. Some folks want wind and solar. Others want nuclear, clean coal and natural gas. To meet this goal we will need them all.” ~2011 State of the Union
“Electricity generation emits more carbon dioxide in the United States than does transportation or industry, and nuclear power is the largest source of carbon-free electricity in the country.” ~ Secretary of Energy, Dr. Ernest Moniz
3
Source Natural Gas Coal Coal (CCS) Nuclear (Large) Nuclear (SMR) Hydro Renewable Petroleum/Other TOTAL
CO2 (Gton)
0.4
1.7
0
0
0
0
0
0.04
2.2
Elect (TWhr)
1000
1730
0
790
0
325
200
50
4095
2010 U.S Electricity Consumption and CO2 Emissions. EIA CE=42%
Elect (TWhr)
1520
1800
0
870
0
300
440
40
4970
CO2 (Gton)
0.5
1.8
0
0
0
0
0
0.03
2.3
EIA Reference Projections 2035 CE=43%
Meeting Clean Energy Goals will Require a Shift in Electricity Production
1.0
Source: EIA, Annual Energy Outlook 2013
2010 2035
4
Nuclear Energy Plays an Important Role in US Energy Supply
Nuclear power is a clean, reliable base load energy source • Provides 19% of U.S. electricity generation mix • Provides 61% of U.S. emission-free electricity
U.S. electricity demand projected to increase ~28% by 2040 from 2011 levels
Nearly 100 GWe nuclear capacity - 99 operating plants • Fleet maintaining close to 90% average capacity
factors • Most expected to apply for license renewal for 60
years of operation
Nuclear 19%
Electricity Production, 2013
Total: 4,054,485 GWh
Nuclear 61%
Conven. Hydro 22%
Wind 11%
Solar <1%
Geo-thermal
1% Biomass
5%
Net Non-Carbon Emitting Sources of Electricity, 2013
Source: Energy Information Administration
5
Status of New Builds in U.S.
Gen III+ designs are a major evolutionary step in large reactor technology
First new reactors being built in U.S. in 30 years
Nuclear construction (Commercial Operation Date) • Watts Bar - 2015 • Vogtle - 2016/2017 • V.C. Summer – 2019/2020
Challenges of nuclear deployment • High capital cost • Lower electricity demand • Low natural gas prices • Post – Fukushima safety concerns
Vogtle 3 & 4 Courtesy of Georgia Power
6
“As we look collectively at the challenge of working to reduce carbon emissions while facilitating global development, nuclear energy clearly has a role to play. In that regard, I suggest that we should begin looking beyond the era of “Atoms for Peace” toward a model of “Atoms for Prosperity.”
SMRs can be Game Changers
“Small Modular Reactors represent a new generation of safe, reliable, low-carbon nuclear energy technology and provide a strong opportunity for America to lead this emerging global industry.”
2013 IAEA General Conference, September 16, 2013
The Intermountain Energy Summit, August 20, 2014
7
Light Water-Based SMR Designs
Westinghouse
Holtec
mPower
NuScale
Well-understood Technology • Uranium Oxide fuels • Regulatory and operating experience
Commercial Interest • At least 4 LWR vendors • Vendor/Utility coalitions being established
Safety Enhancements
Environmental Advantages • No CO2 emissions • Lower water use
Manufacturing industry involved • Could revitalize U.S. nuclear infrastructure
and create new industries
8
Design Features that Improve SMR Safety
SMR designs share a common set of design principles to enhance plant safety and robustness • Incorporation of primary system components into a single vessel
– Eliminates large pipe break accidents
• Increased ratio of water inventory to decay heat – More effective decay heat removal – Much longer “coping time”
• Vessel and component layouts that facilitate natural convection cooling by gravity of the core and vessel
– Eliminates need for electrical power to drive cooling systems
• Below-grade construction of the reactor vessel
and spent fuel storage pool – Enhanced resistance to seismic events – Improved security
9
U.S. Nuclear Power Plants
Source: EIA, Annual Energy Outlook 2013
10
U.S. Coal Power Plants
Source: EIA, Annual Energy Outlook 2013
18,530 individual generators at about 6,600 operational power plants
11
Σ= 120 GW(e)
Clean Energy Market
SMRs Could Potentially Replace Retiring Coal Plants
12
Economic Considerations
Capital cost comparison • New AP1000 reactors in the U.S. are $5B - $7B • Estimate for SMRs are:
– $4,700 - $6,000/kWe – $900M - $1200M for 200 MWe plant
Naval reactor industrial experience shows significant learning • Assembly line replication optimizes cost,
schedule and quality through greater standardization of components and processes
Preliminary conclusion is that “economy of mass production” can be competitive with “economy of scale”
13
Strategic Vision for SMR Deployment
Long term goal is to enable deployment of a fleet of SMRs, not just one or two units
Envision domestic need for >50 GWe capacity in coming decades based on coal plant replacements alone
Long term vision is that SMRs would evolve through anticipated deployment phases • Regulatory (where we are today) • Early adopters (first 20 units) • Full-scale factory production (20 – 40 units/year)
14
DOE Program to Support SMR Certification & Licensing
In 2012, DOE initiated a 6 year/$452M program
Accelerate commercial SMR development through public/private arrangements • Deployment planned in 2022 to 2025
Provide financial assistance for design, certification and licensing of promising SMR technologies with high likelihood of being deployed at domestic sites
mPower and NuScale have been selected for the Department of Energy’s $452M SMR Licensing Technical Support Program
15
First Movers and Early Adopters
This phase involves encouraging investment in several SMRs
Manufacturing capacity still in prototype mode, using existing fabrication capability
Government sites could be the logical users • Meets both clean energy & energy security requirements
International market • Niche markets that could anchor initial
deployments
Policy tools may involve • Power purchase agreements • Loan guarantees • Production tax credits • Clean energy credits
16
DOE Evaluating Federal Siting Options for SMRs
Long Island/NYC
Washington Metro
Hampton Roads, VA
Southern California
Oklahoma/North Texas
South Central Texas
Central Colorado
Western Ohio
Eastern Tennessee
Chicago Metro
Eastern North Carolina
South Carolina/ Eastern Georgia Florida Panhandle
17
Factory Scale Production of SMRs
Broad deployment of SMRs may depend on clean energy policies
Output on the order of dozens of SMRs per year by 2040 or sooner based on clean energy policy
Factories established in the U.S. with the potential for future export markets
Obama Administration Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future
18
Summary – SMR Technologies are of Great Interest in the U.S.
Further improve passive safety technology
Reduce capital cost and project risk
Regain technical leadership and advance innovative clean energy technologies
Create high-quality domestic manufacturing, construction, and engineering jobs
Become global leader in SMR technology based on mature nuclear infrastructure and NRC certified designs
Challenge to SMR fleet deployment: Prove economy of mass production is competitive
with economy of scale
mPower
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