3 ms·
Small, modular reactors [1] have been the dream of nuclear energy for a long time. The technology was proven a long time ago with nuclear submarines which have
by chongli 1y ago
Small, modular reactors [1] have been the dream of nuclear energy for a long time. The technology was proven a long time ago with nuclear submarines which have an outstanding safety track record. What’s stopping them from entering full scale production is a horrible mix of regulatory red tape and political opposition. Chief among the issues is a regulatory framework which is not designed to certify mass-produced reactors.
No one wants to invest the capital to get a manufacturing plant up and running if regulators aren’t willing to allow completed reactors to be commissioned and begin producing energy at a rate that matches the manufacturing rate. The insistence on treating every nuclear site as a unique project subject to years of environmental surveys and extensive, bespoke planning makes modular reactor designs moot as a technology. This is why every reactor gets a new design: they have to go through the process anyway so they might as well try to max out the production they can achieve at that site.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_modular_reactor https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_modular_reactor
- grumpy-de-sre 1y agoUnlike SMR's the efficiency/economics of solar are not as dependent on scale. Even small solar installs can be productive.
- chongli 1y agoWhat I mean by scale is scale of production (units per year). Solar wasn’t even close to economical when the first nuclear reactors were coming online. Solar became viable over many decades of production, technological improvement, and supply chain development. Solar panel costs have fallen 3 orders of magnitude since the 1970s [1]. SMRs wouldn’t need that dramatic of a production cost improvement to become viable for commercial energy production. The main barrier remains regulatory. [1] https://ourworldindata.org/data-insights/solar-panel-prices-have-fallen-by-around-20-every-time-global-capacity-doubled https://ourworldindata.org/data-insights/solar-panel-prices-...
- gghhzzgghhzz 1y agoI have yet to see good argument as to why the reactors on nuclear subs are "proof" of the viability of domestic commercial electrical reactors. They have different commercial viability, enriched fuel and safety requirements. Plus I don't think the primary use of reactors on subs is to generate electricity. Not dismissing SMR for commercial use, but don't see how military subs / ships are relevant