Deliberately small reactors and the second nuclear era |
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| Authors: | DT Ingersoll |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Energy Research Institute at NTU, Interdisciplinary Graduate School, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore;2. EXQUISITUS, Centre for E-City, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore;3. Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong;1. School of Engineering, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK;2. School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK;1. Lloyd''s Register Group Ltd., UK;2. BMT – Nigel Gee, Southampton, UK;3. Gen4Energy, Denver, USA;4. Enterprises Shipping and Trading, Greece;1. Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares, Mexico;2. Virginia Commonwealth University, USA;3. Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico;1. Nuclear and Radiological Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 770 St., Atlanta, GA 30332, USA;2. Westinghouse Electric Company, 1000 Westinghouse Drive, Cranberry Township, PA 16066, USA;3. Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 755 Ferst Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA |
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| Abstract: | Smaller sized nuclear reactors were instrumental during the pioneering days of commercial nuclear power to facilitate the development and demonstration of early reactor technologies and to establish operational experience for the fledgling nuclear power industry. As the U.S. embarks on its “second nuclear era,” the question becomes: Will smaller sized plants have a significant role in meeting the nation's needs for electricity and other energy demands? A brief review of our nuclear history is presented relative to plant size considerations, followed by a review of several commonly cited benefits of small reactors. Several “deliberately small” designs currently being developed in the U.S. are briefly described, as well as some of the technical and institutional challenges faced by these designs. Deliberately small reactors offer substantial benefits in safety, security, operational flexibilities and economics, and they are well positioned to figure prominently in the second nuclear era. |
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