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Using small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) as combined heat and power (CHP) plants will increase their economic viability, MPs have been told.
The SMRs, which are generally considered to be reactors with an output of less than 500MW, could be used to provide heat for urban heat networks, according to Dr David Clarke, chief executive at the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI).
Clarke told the Energy and Climate Change Committee (ECCC) that using SMRs would open up more potential suites for the nuclear reactors closer to major populations, meaning “you can use the waste heat more effectively”.
MPs were told “fundamentally we’ll see SMRs driven by economics”, which includes their potential use as CHP facilities.
He added that “there are not sufficient sites” for larger reactors totaling above 16GW, and SMRs will allow the UK to reach the “sensible” nuclear rollout target of 40GW because they can be sited in more locations – including nearer population centres which favours them to also be used as a heat source.
Paul Stein, chief scientific officer at Rolls Royce, added SMRs are needed “hot on the heels” of large reactors, such as Hinkley Point C “to take nuclear power from the first 16GW to the next 24GW the UK needs”.
Mike Middleton, strategy director at ETI told Utility Week, that historically SMRs are seen as having a higher unit cost per MWh than the bigger reactors, so alternative ways to increase the unit revenue are being investigated.
He added that modular reactors discharge around two thirds of their heat into cooling water and “this could provide SMRs with an extra source of revenue”.
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