NUCLEAR SMRs
“ SMRs are better adapted to small grids than large reactors , with large electricity injections from the latter posing balancing issues ”
CAPGEMINI WORD ENERGY OBSERVATORY REPORT
“ Other benefits of the portfoliosynergistic strategy include more effective quality control ( in the shop versus in the field ) and reduced design changes as the fleet expands .”
One of the main drawbacks with SMRs is that the technology is largely unproven .
Last year , there were no SMRs in operation except the Russian barge of Rosatom , the safety level of which “ should be assessed ”, according to Capgemini . It lists four projects at an advanced stage :
• In North America , NuScale Power : after the NRC7 design approval in 2020 , their first 720MW plant should be connected to the grid in 2029 .
• In North America , GE-Hitachi BWRX-300 : a 300MW boiling water reactor is at the stage of pre-application review .
• In China : the ACP 100 ’ s ( designed by CNNC ) construction began in July 2021 in Changjiang ( Isle of Hainan ).
• In South Korea , the SMART 100 MW reactor is at the preliminary review stage .
The French Nuward project , developed by EDF , Technicatome , Naval Group , and the CEA , is currently in the industrial design phase , Capgemini adds . energydigital . com 93