Ukraine's third river fights to save energy system under attack Russian drones and missiles. For the efficiency of nuclear generation, there is no alternative, other than a solution that can create a Ukrainian “nuclear” nuclear power plant – and that is modular reactors (MMR).
RBC-Ukraine reports on this issue technology.
Zmist
- Small modular reactors in the context of Ukraine
- What are small modular reactors
- What are the advantages of SMR technology
- Possibly a few small modular reactors
Mali modular reactors contexts of Ukraine
In mid-leaf fall, the United States and Ukraine announced the launch of three new projects in the field of small modular reactors. This includes the development of a pilot plant for the production of clean water and ammonia (“Chiste Palevo”), the repurposing of coal-fired power plants at the SMR (Phoenix) and the development of a roadmap for the decarbonization of the steel industry for with the help of MMR (“Clean Steel”).
“Ukraine associates its future with nuclear energy. Regardless of the fact that our country survived the accident at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant and is now faced with unprecedented calls through occupation by Russia “The largest nuclear power plant in Europe is the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant,” said Energy Minister German Galushchenko.
As stated by the Ministry of Energy, Ukraine was committed to the country’s declaration at the Climate Conference COP28, pledging to increase the intensity of nuclear generation until 2050. This includes the development and development of both large power units and small modular reactors.
The development of SMR technology is seen as an important element of the post-war modernization of Ukraine. Prote robot whose direct work is not the first one.
Two years ago, Ukraine, the USA, Japan and New Korea launched a consortium of scientific and practical developments. On the side of Ukraine – “Energoatom” and the State Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety, on the side of the USA – NuScale, FuelCell Energy, Clark Seed, Argone National Laboratory.
Spring 2023 “Energoatom” and American company Holtec International We learned about the development of small modular reactors SMR-160. In the spring, the acceleration of the project was discussed, also with the NuScale company, as a result of which the project would be a single SMR technology, ready for commercialization.
In the spring of 2024, it became clear that components for small reactors would be produced in Ukraine. And it was also signed to support the development of SMR company Holtec International.
In line with the plans, Ukraine wants to place 20 small reactors SMR-160 (capacity 160 MW) instead of damaged ones thermal generation. The problem is that no one in the world has yet implemented this technology. The first prototypes no longer begin to receive licenses.
According to IAEA data, over 70 commercial SMR projects are being developed around the world today. There are reactors at the production stage in the USA, Canada, China, Argentina, New Korea and other countries.
What are small modular reactors
SMRs are a clearly new direction in nuclear energy. Ale is already actively advertising how the future galusi will give a new impetus to the peaceful atom.
Small reactors – these reactors range from 10 to 300 MW. To this class can all nuclear power plants of the first generation that have existed since the mid-twentieth century be classified. And the greatest innovation comes from modularity.
According to the materials on the IAEA website, reactors with a capacity of up to 300 MW per power unit will provide approximately a third of the generating capacity the strain of traditional nuclear installations. SMRs can generate a large amount of “clean energy”, such as:
- small – many times less than traditional reactors
- modular – allowing systems and components to be assembled at the factory
- reactors – the nuclear floor is used to generate heat by retaining energy
The main idea of modularity is that such reactors are delivered to the work site in an assembled form and are connected to boundaries. The modules can supply power turbines or be connected to the combustion turbine. The remaining project, for example, is being implemented in China, where they want to install a pair of six 100 MW SMRs per turbine.
The operating principle of the NuScale reactor is clearly presented in the video.
Why are the advantages of SMR technology
A lot of the advantages are associated with the design: small reactors are small and modular Looking at the small area, they can be placed in places that are not suitable for large nuclear power plants.
The ability to collect blocks from afar and make them more accessible is equal to high-pressure reactors. They are often specially designed for a specific location, which can hinder the project.
MMR allows you to save time spent on everyday life. They can be swallowed step by step to increase energy consumption.
Infrastructure is one of the keys to expanding access to energy. Zokrema, surrounded by energy barriers in rural areas and a high degree of connection to the border. In areas without a sufficient amount of LEP and limited pressure, SMRs can be connected to the absolute limit or operate autonomously with less pressure.
This is especially important for microreactors for fertilization electricity up to 10 MW. In addition, microreactors can serve as a reserve generator or as a substitute for generators, which often operate on diesel fuel.
The safety concept largely rests on passive systems and internal characteristics such as low tension and low operating pressure. This means that connecting the systems does not require human intervention. Therefore, in some cases, the prevalence of radioactive materials and contact with the population in the event of an accident decreases or significantly decreases.
MMR may be reduced until the fire begins. At power plants with this technology it is possible to use new nuclear fuel more quickly – skin 3-7 units, instead of 1-2 at traditional nuclear power plants. Several small reactors are designed in such a way that they can operate without re-engineering up to 30 hours.
Possible few small modular reactors
It may be that SMR technology is an accessible “tomorrow” method of generating nuclear energy. However, all the advantages have not yet been stated on paper.
For example, it is unlikely that the projects will become really fast or cheap. As a rule, on a daily basis the nuclear power plant is in the middle of 10 years, otherwise the reactor cannot be activated immediately – it may undergo a safety check, certification and the license to operate can be revoked. In addition, the installation of nuclear units cannot be done without extensive consultations, which can delay the process.
Today, the reactor closest to implementation is the NuScale Power company. It has been developed for perhaps two decades and the most optimistic term is that if the first such reactor can begin to operate – the end of the 2020s.
Unfortunately, nuclear energy has become the fastest way to generate electricity. And realistic forecasts show that MMR will be more expensive for the refurbishment of megawatts. Given the changes, the output of one 200 MW modular reactor becomes up to 40% of the output of a “thousander”.
There is no doubt about safety. And the small size of the reactors does not seem like a compelling argument. For example, in 1966 there was an accident at the American Fermi 1 reactor. Consequently, during this time technologies became more reliable. However, it is not possible to turn off the risks completely, but it is possible to combine reactors into traction units with additional hazards, if an accident on one of them can lead to an accident on others in the connection.
Similarly, there is a risk disintegration of nuclear weapons. The more fragments there are in the world of nuclear reactors, the more difficult it is for MAGATE to follow, and in truth they will be victorious rather than in a peaceful manner.
During the preparation of vikorist, materials from the Ministry’s websites were used energy industry of Ukraine, the IAEA and the National Association of Shoe Industry of Ukraine.
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