How does the BWRX-300 work?
The BWRX-300 will produce steam inside the reactor pressure vessel to greatly reduce the complexity and size of the plant. The SMR removes virtually all of the systems needed to support a large-scale reactor, with the exception of the isolation condenser system.
Are there any operational SMRs?
Until 2020, no truly modular SMRs had been built. Only in May 2020 the first prototype of a floating nuclear power plant with two 30 MWe reactors type KLT-40 started operation in Pevek, Russia. This concept is based on the design of nuclear icebreakers.
How many houses can a SMR power?
A 300-megawatt SMR could generate enough electricity to power approximately 230,000 homes a year.
How much do SMRs cost?
To give a sense of scale of the expense, the NuScale SMR, which is the familiar light water design, is expected to cost roughly $1.5 billion just for development and certification. New non-light water designs will very likely cost more and take longer to develop from the concept stage to licensing review and approval.
What fuel does the BWRX 300 use?
GNF2 fuel design
By leveraging the existing ESBWR design certification, utilizing the licensed and proven GNF2 fuel design, and incorporating proven components and supply chain expertise, GEH believes the BWRX-300 can become the lowest-risk, most cost-competitive and quickest to market SMR.
Can you own a nuclear reactor?
Yes, you can build your very own nuclear fusion reactor in your house! But first, a few warnings: -This project includes lethal voltage levels. Make sure you know your high voltage safety or have a qualified electrical advisor.
Are SMRs safe?
SMRs feature smaller, less robust containment systems than current reactors. This can have negative safety consequences, including a greater probability of damage from hydrogen explosions.
How small can a nuclear reactor be?
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) defines ‘small’ as under 300 MWe, and up to about 700 MWe as ‘medium’ – including many operational units from the 20th century. Together they have been referred to by the IAEA as small and medium reactors (SMRs).
How many MW is a modular nuclear reactor?
This modular aspect is expected to reduce manufacturing time as well as the cost of the units,” MRO said. “Typically, each modular reactor is expected to range from about 50–80 MW and would be installed in-line and adjacent to each other, with ultimately about 10–12 modules in total.
What is the staff recommendation for siting advanced reactors?
The staff’s recommendation is to pursue a revision to the population-related siting guidance used to implement Commission policy to provide technology-inclusive, risk-informed, and performance-based criteria to assess certain population-related issues in siting advanced reactors. II.
Is the NRC engaged in pre-application activities with reactor designers?
The NRC has engaged in varying degrees of pre-application activities with several SMR designers over the past several years. In August of 2020, the NRC approved a design for an SMR from NuScale Power, LLC. Below is a summary of the reactor designers and a potential license applicant with whom the NRC has engaged with in pre-application activities.
What was the name of the nuclear reactor in Germany?
The THTR-300 was a thorium high-temperature nuclear reactor rated at 300 MW electric (THTR-300) in Hamm -Uentrop, Germany. It started operating in 1983, synchronized with the grid in 1985, operated at full power in February 1987 and was shut down September 1, 1989.