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Small Modular Reactor Deployment and Obstacles to Be Overcome

Author

Listed:
  • Elaheh Shobeiri

    (Faculty Engineering and Applied Science, Ontario Tech University, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON L1G 0C5, Canada)

  • Filippo Genco

    (Faculty Engineering and Applied Science, Ontario Tech University, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON L1G 0C5, Canada)

  • Daniel Hoornweg

    (Faculty Engineering and Applied Science, Ontario Tech University, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON L1G 0C5, Canada)

  • Akira Tokuhiro

    (Faculty Engineering and Applied Science, Ontario Tech University, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON L1G 0C5, Canada)

Abstract

To meet climate policy goals, it will be necessary to deploy a series of low-carbon energy technologies, including nuclear power. The small modular reactor (SMR) can potentially support climate change mitigation and energy security issues. Small modular reactors (SMRs) are gaining popularity; however, one crucial debate is whether SMRs can compete economically with conventional nuclear reactors or not. From a commercial point of view, SMRs will be able to provide process heat in various industrial applications, replace older nuclear, natural gas, and coal power facilities, and serve smaller energy markets with less established infrastructure. Realizing these advantages would rely heavily on the near-term quick up-scaling of SMRs; this paper, then, examines and identifies some of the most hindering constraints and barriers for the quick deployment of SMR such as the technology choice, licensing, economy of scale and financing, public acceptance, supply chain, and proliferation. A clear identification of the evident and more hidden bottlenecks preventing a quick deployment is made putting in evidence areas in need of much deeper analysis than the one conducted by the SMR community so far.

Suggested Citation

  • Elaheh Shobeiri & Filippo Genco & Daniel Hoornweg & Akira Tokuhiro, 2023. "Small Modular Reactor Deployment and Obstacles to Be Overcome," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-19, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:8:p:3468-:d:1124312
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Changan Ren & Jichong Lei & Jie Liu & Jun Hong & Hong Hu & Xiaoyong Fang & Cannan Yi & Zhiqiang Peng & Xiaohua Yang & Tao Yu, 2024. "Research on an Intelligent Fault Diagnosis Method for Small Modular Reactors," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-15, August.
    4. Alistair F. Holdsworth & Edmund Ireland, 2024. "Navigating the Path of Least Resistance to Sustainable, Widespread Adoption of Nuclear Power," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-15, March.

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