Advancing the Commercialization of Small Modular Reactors

Michael KurthAmerican 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 SMRsIntegral Pressurized Water Reactor

(iPWR)

• 3 Designs

Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)• One Design

B&W NuScale Westinghouse Holtec

http://www.generationmpower.com/

http://www.nuscalepower.com/overviewofnuscalestechnology.aspx

http://www.smrllc.com/safety.html

http://www.westinghousenuclear.com/SMR/Westinghouse_SMR_Brochure.pdf

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.generationmpower.com/technology/deployment.asp

http://www.westinghousenuclear.com/SMR/Westinghouse_SMR_Brochure.pdf

http://www.smrllc.com/safety.html

http://www.nuscalepower.com/reactorbuildingsandbarriers.aspx

Advantages of SMRs over traditional nuclear power• Transportability

http://www.nuscalepower.com/small.aspx

http://www.westinghousenuclear.com/SMR/Westinghouse_SMR_Brochure.pdf

Possible Areas of SMR Application

Markets Pros Cons

Replacing Older Coal Plants Size and Emissions Near Population Centers

Remote Locations Higher Energy Prices, Lack of Large Grid

Too Small and Security Concerns

Government Facilities Long Term Power Purchase Agreements, Goals on Emission Reductions

Appropriations

Foreign Exports Large Growing Demand, Developing Countries, Nonproliferation

Lack of Infrastructure, Competition

Roadblocks to SMR Deployment• Economic Issues

VS.

Economy of Scale Economy of Mass Production

http://www.eenews.net/assets/2013/03/13/document_gw_01.pdfhttp://www.wikinvest.com/wiki/Economies_of_scale

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.

Questions?