Smaller nuclear reactors may be the best option for developed nations
Published 7 November 2019
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Small modular reactors (SMRs) may be a more economical way to deliver nuclear power in developed economies than large plants, according to a senior official at the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Peter Fraser, head of the IEA’s gas, coal and power markets division, told the Nuclear Watch Institute’s 2019 forum yesterday (6 November) that there is a case for moving to smaller scale reactors, “particularly” in advanced economies.
He said: “When the first nuclear expansion took place, growth in electricity demand was three to five per cent per year. When you built a plant, it didn’t matter too much because in a few years you would need the electricity.”
But Fraser told delegates that the path of growth in electricity demand is uncertain and perhaps a “lot lower” than currently anticipated.
This uncertainty also created headaches for bringing forward large oil and gas fired plants but larger companies in those sectors were potentially in a better position to absorb increased costs.
He said “We don’t have companies that big in the nuclear sector. Smaller bites and smaller morsels make it easier.”
Dr Jonathan Cobb, senior communication manager at the World Nuclear Association, said that an incremental roll out of SMRs on a site may be more attractive to investors than using it to build one large plant.
He also said SMRs will have a role to play in particular circumstances, such as providing high temperature heat for industry.
But the sheer scale of predicted growth in demand for electricity suggests that there will be a continued need to develop large nuclear plants worldwide, Cobb said: “Given the huge growth in demand for electricity going on world-wide, there will be need for large and small reactors.”
But he warned that subjecting SMRs to the same level of regulation as larger plants would constitute a “much bigger hurdle” proportionately for these smaller projects.
“We need to look at specifically at regulatory models that will enable SMRs to be deployed where they are effective.”
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