A new concept for a smaller and more efficient nuclear power plant has been introduced to our government. NuScale Power, the Oregon based company creating the new power plants, says each modular device is completely self-contained, and capable of producing 77-megawatts of electricity, enough to power thousands of homes. The power plants stand about 100 feet tall and six feet wide, much smaller than today’s nuclear plants. Almost 20 percent of the US’s electricity is currently generated by the country’s 99 nuclear power plants. Many of the reactors in the US today are expected to be retired between 2029 and 2050.
Mini Nuclear Powerplant
“The world’s demand for electricity and clean water will increase significantly over the next several decades,” said John Hopkins, NuScale Power’s CEO. “Our technology can meet that challenge with clean and reliable power, improving the environment and the quality of life for humankind.”
NuScale’s ability to repurpose the infrastructure of retired coal plants will also save over $100 million dollars with their nuclear power plants.
The small modular reactors (SMRs) would be manufactured in a factory and delivered to its destination and hooked up to the power grid. Since each of the plants are modular, a town or city could potentially connect multiple power plants together to provide more electricity if needed, much like the way we use batteries to power devices.
Working with the US Department of Energy, NuScale already has plans to build a 12-module plant in Idaho, where they’ll work with power companies to test their SMR. The first NuScale nuclear reactor will begin generating power in 2029 with the remaining modules coming online by 2030.
NuScale hopes to start using the SMRs before current NRC licenses expire on existing power plants. This is another great use of technology in supplying electricity to our planet plus reducing our carbon footprint. Bob Larson is a technologist and our Marketing Director.