Small Modular Reactors

• Context (PIB | LM | TH | IE): GoI is advancing its efforts in clean energy transition by focusing on new technologies such as Small Nuclear Reactors (SMRs).
• Small Modular Reactors are promoted to help India’s broad strategy of decarbonisation.
• Small Modular Reactors are smaller, simpler, and more affordable than traditional nuclear reactors.
• They typically have a power capacity of up to 300 MW(e), which is about 1/3^rd of the generating capacity of traditional nuclear power reactors.
• Harness nuclear fission to generate heat to produce energy.
• They can start from a completely de-energized state without receiving energy from the grid.
  

  Reactor	Capacity
  Large, conventional reactor	700+ MW(e)
  Small modular reactor	300 MW(e)
  Microreactor	Up to ̴ 10 MW(e)

Present Status of Small Modular Reactors

• Two operational SMRs exist globally:
  1. Akademik Lomonosov Plant, Russia (the world’s floating nuclear power station)
  2. China
• Two more SMRs are under construction in Argentina and Russia.

Advantages of Small Modular Reactors

• Realising the goal of ‘Power for All’ as they can be installed into an existing grid and in areas lacking sufficient lines of transmission and grid capacity.
• Contribute to grid stability and reliability by providing a stable baseload power supply that complements intermittent renewable energy sources.
• Climate change mitigation: They have a smaller environmental footprint due to their compact size and reduced water consumption.
• Environment Friendly: As per Nuclear Energy Institute, it consumes 30-60% less water per megawatt-hour compared to traditional nuclear plants.
• Fuel efficient: Power plants based on SMRs may require less frequent refuelling, every 3 to 7 years, in comparison to between 1 and 2 years for conventional plants.
• Greater deployment flexibility due to smaller, modular units allowing SMRs to be scaled up or down.
• Land use efficiency: SMRs can repurpose retiring coal-based thermal power station sites.

Concerns with Small Modular Reactors

• Costly: SMRs will not be cost competitive due to the need to build thousands of such high priced reactors to achieve factory-based cost reductions → higher cost per unit of electricity generated.
• Security risk: “nuclear backpacks” highlights concerns about the security risks associated with the portability and small size of SMRs.
• Nuclear waste: According to a study, SMRs produce radioactive waste up by 30 percent compared to conventional reactors.
• Other challenges: Limited fuel options, lack of proven experience as they are still in early stages of development, uncertainty about reliability, environmental impact.

Way Ahead

• The Atomic Energy Act must be amended to allow the private sector to set up SMRs.
• To ensure safety, security, and safeguards, control of nuclear fuel and radioactive waste must remain with the GoI.
• GoI must enact a law to establish an independent, empowered regulatory board.
• GoI can negotiate with foreign suppliers to reprocess nuclear waste from all SMRs in a state-controlled facility under IAEA safeguards.
• The Department of Atomic Energy must improve the public perception of nuclear power in India.
• Schemes like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for SMRs can be introduced.