A class of nuclear reactor of roughly 300 megawatts electric or less, designed for factory fabrication of components or whole modules rather than one-off site construction, pursuing series production and shorter build times. The smaller size lowers the capital outlay per unit and widens where nuclear power can be deployed; a few small reactors already operate and dozens of designs are in development, so the approach is proven in principle but not yet in series.
Facts
Disputed
Invented YearModular reactor concepts date to the 1950s; the term small modular reactor entered common use in the late 1970s per the American Nuclear Society and was revived in wider policy use after a 2010 Wall Street Journal op-ed by US Energy Secretary Steven Chu. Classification
MaturityTRL 6: Technology Demonstrated in Relevant Environment 1 Technology TypeNuclear Fission Reactor 2 Connections
Associated With
Idaho National Laboratory was the DOE Idaho Site chosen in 2014 for the NRC reviewed Carbon Free Power Project, a small modular reactor plant using NuScale Power's design; UAMPS and NuScale mutually terminated the project in November 2023.
Uses Source
Source World Nuclear Association Information Library
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Small modular reactor
Mostly in demonstration or early deployment stage as of the mid-2020sView the Source 2. World Nuclear Association Information Library
World Nuclear AssociationInformation Library, Small Nuclear Power ReactorsQuote, Information Library, Small Nuclear Power Reactors
Small modular reactors (SMRs) are defined as nuclear reactors generally 300 MWe equivalent or less, designed with modular technology using module factory fabrication, pursuing economies of series production and short construction times.
3. Wikipedia
Wikimedia FoundationDefinitionQuote, Definition
small or modular reactor concepts date back to the 1950s.
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