Energy Technologies Institute argues small modular reactors capable of delivering clean power and heat could be in place by 2030 if the right policy framework is put in place, reports BusinessGreen

The first small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) could be operating in the UK by 2030 with the right government support, according to a new report from the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI).



The analysis, released today by the government and industry-backed energy research body, examined the steps needed to support the first SMR in the UK and concluded a credible schedule for implementation can be set out - as long as a policy framework is developed to reduce risks for SMR developers and increase investor confidence.

Setting out a timeline of key steps that will be required to deliver SMR deployment, the ETI said the UK should clarify and raise awareness of regulatory standards and expectations in the next five years and set out a clear statement of intent in relation to SMR development in the UK by 2024, with the aim to achieve at least one final investment decision by 2025.

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Mike Middleton, nuclear strategy manager at the ETI and author of the report, said vendors, government and regulators must all work together in an integrated programme to ensure the first of a kind SMR is in operation by 2030.

“Creating the right environment for increasing investor confidence is critical if this schedule is to be met; there will be a key role for government in the first five years of any such programme to deliver an SMR policy framework which progressively reduces investor risk,” he said in a statement.

The study also suggests developers should consider using SMRs as Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants rather than simply for power generation, arguing the small size and relatively easy siting of SMRs mean they could feed low carbon heat directly into cities using hot water pipelines.

The ETI argues developers should consider deploying SMRs that are “CHP ready”, even in cases where there is not yet strong local demand for district heating systems. The report suggests the additional cost of making the reactors capable of delivering CHP is small, but future heat revenues could be significant if district heating networks materialise.

The case for deploying SMRs capable of producing heat is further bolstered by the fact they will be built to a standard design in factories before being assembled on site, the report said, meaning that including ‘CHP ready’ standards in all designs would reduce downstream deployment costs as there would be no need to reconfigure factory processes to deliver CHP integrated reactors.

“Firstly, these options can increase deployment opportunities which can further reduce unit cost; secondly it is not necessary to reassess the design or reconfigure the factory production process to deliver these options and again this reduces downstream deployment costs,” said Middleton.

Last year the government announced plans for a £250m competition to boost nuclear development, including plans to support commercial SMRs. Phase one of the programme waslaunched in March this year, with the government calling on developers to come forward with proposals for pilot projects.

Meanwhile, companies such as US nuclear developer NuScale Power - which aims for its first SMR to be in operation in the US by 2024 - have shown increasing interest in deploying SMR technology in the UK.

However, the ETI report argued that despite government support and warm words from ministers there is currently no programme for UK SMR deployment or SMR-specific policies to encourage private sector development.

While advocates of SMRs maintain they can safely bring down the cost of nuclear power and help to support an increasingly decentralised grid, critics argue there is still little evidence the technology will bring down costs where larger reactors have consistently failed to do so and fear they will come with inherent safety risks, which other low carbon sources of power could avoid.

However, the ETI report identified several sites in the UK that it said had potential for early SMR deployment, including sites which could be suited for a first of a kind SMR plant.

It may still be very early days for the embryonic SMR industry, but some experts are increasingly confident an exciting future awaits.