NuScale's "Small" Scale Nuclear

To those that may not have been following developments closely, I thought it would be good to do a high-level review of NuScale's "Small" scale reactor solution. On Friday, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission directed its staff to issue a final rule certifying NuScale’s small modular reactor design in the United States.

So why is this so revolutionary? First, NuScale's unit can be factory manufactured with modular construction. With the containment vessel being the largest of the three modules, clocking in at 95 feet long and 15 feet in diameter, the solution can be shipped to site by truck, ship or rail. Second, the safety systems are passive so the unit will fail safe in case of a control issue. No power is required for safe shutdown and cooling, the modules will safely shut down and self-cool, indefinitely, without power, operator, computer action, or additional water.

The individual power modules will generate 77MW of electricity and up to twelve power modules can be configured into one plant for a total of 924MW of generation. NuScale will also off their solutions in four-module (308MW) and six-module (462MW) configurations. Refueling will be required approximately every 24 months

NuScale is the first small modular reactor design (SMR) in history to review NRC approval. The first plant utilizing their modular technology will be a six-module facility is being developed in Idaho. The installation is expected to be fully operational by 2030 with the first module coming online by 2029.

For more information, see NuScale's website at: https://www.nuscalepower.com/