Small modular reactors: Not all that glows is gold

This is a sequel to an earlier Asia Times article on small nuclear reactors.

The only small modular reactors (SMRs) currently in operation are in Russia (Akademik Lomonosov floating NPP) and China (HTR-PM high temperature gas cooled reactor), and the nuclear power plants soon to become reality are mostly traditional pressurized water reactor designs. However, the current situation is not simply a matter of same old, same old.

The good news is that many more SMRs are in the design stage. Currently, more than 80 commercial SMR designs are being developed around the world. Some of those designs are being developed by established nuclear companies, often with government support.

The bad news is that other designs are being proposed by start-up companies with an eye on the main chance but little technological expertise.

Many of these companies appear to be aiming to attract as much investment as possible by promising to deploy their schemes in the early 2030s—something that is almost certainly unachievable. Most companies give wildly optimistic timelines for construction and deployment, which are constantly being revised.

The designs on offer include a wide range of different reactor technologies, starting with those based on smaller versions of established pressurized water reactor (PWR) designs and moving on to the much more complex molten salt reactors, high-temperature gas-cooled reactors and fast neutron reactors. They target varied outputs and different applications, such as electricity, hybrid energy systems, heating, water desalinization and steam for industrial applications.

These technologies are promoted as feasible, flexible, cost-effective energy solutions with lower capital costs that are ideal partners for