Locatelli, G, Bingham, C and Mancini, M (2014) Small modular reactors: A comprehensive overview of their economics and strategic aspects. Progress in Nuclear Energy, 73. pp. 75-85. ISSN 0149-1970
Abstract
A key challenge for engineers and scientists over the coming decades is to develop and deploy power plants with sufficient capacity and flexibility to meet the growing demand for energy (mainly electrical) whilst simultaneously reducing emissions (primarily greenhouse gases). With fusion-based power plants not currently being considered viable for large-scale deployment for at least 40 years, other technologies must to be considered. Renewable and high efficiency combined gas-fired plants, along with nuclear solutions, are regarded as the most suitable candidates, with Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) developing as a favoured choice. However, two main impediments to the current deployment of SMRs exist: (1) safety concerns, particularly following the Fukushima accident, and (2) their economic models, with high capital costs only being available through a limited number of investors. The goal of this paper is to provide a review and a holistic assessment of this class of nuclear reactor, with specific focus on the most common technology: the Light Water Reactor (LWR). In particular, the paper provides a state-of-the-art assessment of their life cycle, along with a comparison of their relative merits with other base-load technologies. It is shown that SMRs are a suitable choice when the power to be installed is in the range 1e3 GWe and the social aspects of the investment, such as the creation of new employment positions, is a goal of policy makers. The paper thereby provides governments and stakeholders with key economic and social boundaries for the viable deployment of SMRs.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
---|---|
Authors/Creators: |
|
Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | (c) 2014, Elsevier Ltd. This is an author produced version of a paper published in Progress in Nuclear Energy. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Small modular reactors; SMR; Life cycle assessment; Sustainability; Finance; Economics |
Dates: |
|
Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Civil Engineering (Leeds) > Institute for Resilient Infrastructure (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 11 Apr 2016 15:19 |
Last Modified: | 16 Jan 2018 05:16 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pnucene.2014.01.010 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.pnucene.2014.01.010 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:91148 |