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The environmental competitiveness of small modular reactors: A life cycle study

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  • Carless, Travis S.
  • Griffin, W. Michael
  • Fischbeck, Paul S.

Abstract

This work conducts a prospective attribution life cycle assessment of an SMR. Monte Carlo simulation and sensitivity analyses are used to account for the uncertainties in the analysis. The analysis finds that the mean (and 90% confidence interval) life cycle GHG emissions of the Westinghouse SMR (W-SMR) to be 9.1 g of CO2-eq/kwh (5.9–13.2 g of CO2-eq/kwh) and the Westinghouse AP1000 to be 8.4 g of CO2-eq/kwh (5.5–12.1 g of CO2-eq/kwh). The GHG emissions of the AP1000 are 9% less than the W-SMR. However, when the nuclear fuel cycle is not included in the analysis the GHG emissions for the W-SMR and the AP1000 are effectively the same given the inherent uncertainties in the analysis. The analysis finds that both types of plants stochastically dominate the Generation II 4 loop SNUPPS. The mean (and 90% confidence interval) life cycle GHG emissions of the SNUPPS is 13.6 g of CO2-eq/kwh (10.5–17.3 g of CO2-eq/kwh). While the AP1000 has the benefits of economies of scale, the W-SMR's modular ability enables it to make up some of the difference through efficiencies in construction, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning.

Suggested Citation

  • Carless, Travis S. & Griffin, W. Michael & Fischbeck, Paul S., 2016. "The environmental competitiveness of small modular reactors: A life cycle study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 84-99.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:114:y:2016:i:c:p:84-99
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2016.07.111
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    4. Carlo L. Vinoya & Aristotle T. Ubando & Alvin B. Culaba & Wei-Hsin Chen, 2023. "State-of-the-Art Review of Small Modular Reactors," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-30, April.
    5. Carless, Travis S. & Talabi, Sola M. & Fischbeck, Paul S., 2019. "Risk and regulatory considerations for small modular reactor emergency planning zones based on passive decontamination potential," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 740-756.
    6. Pablo Fernández-Arias & Diego Vergara & Álvaro Antón-Sancho, 2023. "Bibliometric Review and Technical Summary of PWR Small Modular Reactors," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-15, July.
    7. Haneklaus, Nils & Qvist, Staffan & Gładysz, Paweł & Bartela, Łukasz, 2023. "Why coal-fired power plants should get nuclear-ready," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).
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    10. Cartelle Barros, Juan José & Lara Coira, Manuel & de la Cruz López, María Pilar & del Caño Gochi, Alfredo & Soares, Isabel, 2020. "Probabilistic multicriteria environmental assessment of power plants: A global approach," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).

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