Small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) saw an important landmark in the US last month when the Nuclear Regulatory Commission finally approved the design of a first-of-its-kind SMR from the Oregon-based nuclear firm NuScale Power.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) defines SMRs as advanced nuclear-fission reactors that have a power generation capacity of up to 300MW per unit – around a third of the capacity of traditional reactors. Their perceived benefits derive from the ‘small’ and ‘modular’ nature of their design. Their diminutive size means they can be sited at locations unsuited to larger nuclear power plants. Prefabricated units of SMRs could be manufactured and then shipped and installed on site, potentially making them more affordable to build than traditional reactors, which are typically custom-designed for specific places, often resulting in construction delays. The technology is designed to save on cost and construction time, and be deployed incrementally to match increasing energy demand.
“The supply chain for building reactors is another question.
The U.S. lacks high-quality concrete- and steel-fabrication design skills necessary to manufacture a nuclear power plant, Kochunas said.”
I talked to a pilot who works for one of these private companies trying to develop microreactors. He told me the same thing.
CALLING MIKE ROWE... CALLING MIKE ROWE!!!
Can’t wait till they create pocket reactors the size of c3ll phones to power up a whole house incase of power outages which will increase due to asinine electric on,y mandates.
It’s my understanding these SMRs are also safe regarding meltdown dangers as well, correct? They seem like a very logical solution to power issues.
Plus, Lyman said, “the likelihood that those are going to be deployable and instantly 100% reliable right out of the gate is just not consistent with the history of nuclear power development. And so it’s a much riskier bet.”
Who would want one of these in their neighborhood? These big data centers aren't built out in the middle of nowhere, and even if they were, suburban creep would soon surround them.
Looks like the same old game wrapped in new ribbon and paper.
Based on our energy bills, the energy companies do NOT need "expanding subsidies." Just get out of the way -- government -- and they will do as they can and need to do.
How long before you can shop for desktop nuclear reactors for your home on QVC and HSN?
Pronto.
Not a chance in ‘Ell in the US. Even if all of congress and the Exec branch were OK (like they used to be back in the ‘50’s), the courts will always let the treehuggers delay until the money runs out.
Gov’mt could license by fiat and subcontract to a private company to build and operate. This would protect against lawsuits. But, that requires courage. Not in the US.
BTWay, I am speaking from 25+ years in the commercial nuke industry in the US. I participated in those fights and we always lost.
I want one of those small reactors from ‘Back To The Future’ for my F150. For towing, long haul, and visiting my long past ancestors. The usual stuff.
My relative who is a retired nuclear rocket fuel engineer says small nuke plants are the way to go for clean power.
The deepstate has figgered out that wind and solar ain’t gonna cut it.
Texas A&M Launches SMR ‘Energy Proving Ground’ with Selection of Four Nuclear Firms (Mar 4, 2025)
I am near a development site 15 miles from me. It is not on the list in this above article, but it is a similar process design.
We should have been developing mini reactors 40 yrs ago. If we can stuff a small reactor into a submarine, we can put them anywhere.