NuScale Power's small modular reactor is the first to receive design approval in the U.S.
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has completed its last and final phase of the design certification application (DCA) for NuScale Power’s small modular reactor (SMR), the first time an SMR has received regulatory design approval.
The NRC issued a final safety evaluation report (FSER), which represents completion of the technical review and approval of the NuScale Generation IV SMR design.
“This is a significant milestone not only for NuScale, but also for the entire US nuclear sector and the other advanced nuclear technologies that will follow,” NuScale said in a statement. “This clearly establishes the leadership of NuScale and the US in the race to bring SMRs to market.”
This is a significant milestone not only for NuScale, but also for the entire US nuclear sector and the other advanced nuclear technologies that will follow
NuScale chairman and chief executive officer John Hopkins said the cost-shared funding provided by Congress over the past several years had accelerated NuScale’s advancement through the NRC design certification process.
NuScale’s DCA was completed in December 2016 and accepted by the NRC in March 2017. NuScale spent over $500m, with the backing of majority investor Fluor, to develop the information needed to prepare the application.
NuScale said it continues to maintain “strong programme momentum” toward commercialisation of its SMR technology, including supply chain development, standard plant design, planning of plant delivery activities, and startup and commissioning plans.
NuScale’s SMR design features a fully factory-fabricated NuScale power module capable of generating 60 MW of electricity using a safer, smaller, and scalable version of pressurised water reactor (PWR) technology.
This SMR design can generate 60 MW of electricity using a safer, smaller and scalable version of PWR technology.
The company said the SMR’s scalable design – a power plant can house up to 12 individual power modules – offers the benefits of carbon-free energy and reduces the financial commitments associated with gigawatt-sized nuclear facilities.
Source: NucNet
Cover photo credit: Terrestrial Energy
