NuScale’s SMR modules are 76 feet tall, 15 feet in diameter, and can generate 77 MW(e). They are made to be built in factories and shipped for the final installation.
0:00 Introduction
0:27 What are SMRs?
0:48 Why Small Modular Reactors?
1:16 NuScale’s Modular Reactors
1:58 Interview with José Reyes, CEO of NuScale
2:34 Clean energy
4:08 Safety and waste
6:20 Interview with Todd Allen, Chair of the Nuclear Engineering Department at the University of Michigan
7:04 When will we see these SMRs in operation?
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This is a nuclear reactor, but it is not your
normal nuclear reactor.
It’s a Small Modular Reactor, and the company
behind it, called NuScale, wants to revolutionize
clean energy by providing simpler, cheaper,
and safer nuclear power.
Is that even possible?
Let’s take a look.
A Small Modular Reactor (SMR) is generally
defined as an advanced reactor that produces
up to 300 MW(e) per module.
They can be deployed alone or as part of a
plant with several modules, and are designed
to be built in factories and shipped wherever
they’re needed for the final installation.
A bigger nuclear reactor may be more cost effective,
but some markets don’t have the grid or
the capital to support a traditional nuclear
plant.
A small reactor may make sense in smaller
or more remote areas that want a dedicated
power supply that is not a fossil fuel.
Right now there are around 50 designs and
concepts for this kind of technology around the globe,
including a few in the US.
NuScale’s SMR is the first one to receive
design approval from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Their modules are 76 feet tall, 15 feet in
diameter, and can generate 77 MW(e).
These reactors can be combined in power plants
with four, six or twelve individual modules.
This is way less than the common gigawatt
sized nuclear facilities, but the idea is
that this scalable model can be deployed in
a much faster and cheaper way.
José Reyes, the CEO and cofounder of the company
and one of the designers, lists some of the advantages.
It’s all factory manufactured. So that means we can build the modules in a factory
and then you do the construction at the site, the civil construction, in parallel.
Instead of a five year construction
period we look immediately at a three year
construction period so it’s a greatly reduced
construction period.
It gives you greater financial certainty because
you know exactly how and when the modules
will be built and delivered.
And it also provides a lot of flexibility,
which we don’t have in the nuclear power industry
today.
So being able to load follow wind and solar,
for example, we built that capability into
our design.
Nuclear does not generate carbon emissions,
and this is key.
The concerns over climate change are becoming
more pressing, and nuclear provides energy
without the emissions that come with other
sources such as coal, or oil, or natural gas.
And while it’s true that wind and solar
have become more and more affordable in recent
years, it’s unclear that transitioning to
100% renewable energy is feasible, at least
in the short term.
Experts definitely disagree.
Let’s get some background here.
At the end of 2020, the US had 94
operating commercial nuclear reactors, with
an average age of about 39 years.
That means, they’re getting old.
In recent years, several power plants have
been retired and the newer projects
are not something that you would
call exactly successful.
In 2017, the construction of two new reactors
in South Carolina stopped after years of delays
and overscosts.
Another two planned reactors in Georgia are
still under construction, but they have also
accumulated delays and cost overruns.
Nuclear is still a very polarizing subject.
A poll this year by the Pew Research Center
showed that most Americans say that reducing
the effects of climate change needs to be
a top priority, and a majority favor expanding
solar and wind.
When it comes to nuclear, support and opposition
go almost half and half.
Safety is one of the main concerns, and it’s
not an unreasonable one, if you remember the
Fukushima and Chernobyl disasters, or here
in the US, the Three Mile Island accident.
Going back to Small Modular reactors and to
NuScale, José Reyes, who also worked for nearly
ten years as a research engineer in the Reactor
Safety Division of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, says that this has been a main
part of their design, and that the smaller
size also helps.
Under the worst case conditions,
the reactors will safely shut down without
any operator action without the need for any
AC or DC power and remain cooled for an unlimited
period of time
without the need to add water so that’s a
huge breakthrough in the industry and we’re
the first ones to do that in terms of the
commercial nuclear power industry.
Let’s say, something does happen, you have
a one in a billion year event, what would
happen to the plant and what would happen
to the surroundings?
And what we found was that, under those worst
case conditions, you know, once in a billion
year event that you damage your fuel,
we don’t exceed the regulatory doses at the
site boundary. So instead of the large ten mile
radius around the plant, which is typically
required for a emergency planning zone, we’re
at the fence, we’re at the site boundary.
Waste is the other main concern, and one that
hasn’t been fully solved, although the total
amount is relatively small compared to the
energy produced.
Used fuel can actually be reused but part
of it will still need to be stored and disposed
safely.
Of course, convincing regulators is one thing,
but the general public is another.
Internationally, the situation and the views
toward nuclear vary a lot country by country,
and some places like Germany already decided years
ago that they would stop using it.
In the US, president Biden’s administration
has expressed support for nuclear as an element
to meet its climate goals.
The department of Energy has specifically
supported the development of small modular
reactors.
The reactions are varied.
Todd Allen is a Professor and Chair of the
Nuclear Engineering Department at the University
of Michigan.
An engineer saying, my system is safe, and
a community saying, they’re happy having the
system there, are two totally different questions.
So I think that has to be proven also.
And if people get comfortable with the fact
that small reactors have a different hazard
then you might see them in more places.
So I think every country is going to be different…
But I would say, compared to twenty years ago,
I think more of them are more willing to think
about nuclear…
I think the fact that SMRs are moving towards
deployment will bring some people, some countries
into that discussion.
Right now, NuScale is looking at 2029 to see
its first SMR power plant in operation, in
Idaho Falls.
This is part of an initiative lead by the
Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems, but
the company is in conversations with other
entities and possible customers, not only
here, but around the world, so this could potentially
happen sooner.
So what are your thoughts on nuclear and these
small modular reactors?
Is this how we solve climate change?
Leave your thoughts in the comments and check
CNET for more videos about the future
of energy.
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October 20, 2021 at 4:02 pm
What are your thoughts on SMR and nuclear energy? What should we do to fight climate change? Let us know in the comments!
Marvin Gershowitz
October 20, 2021 at 4:09 pm
I know people who have investment in this Tech for Many Years rubbing their hands together to see it replace the FIRE HYDRANT on every block.
Rahul
October 20, 2021 at 4:23 pm
Whats wrong with this overtly thickish/obnoxious accent
mbarbe007
October 21, 2021 at 6:15 am
@Rahul she’s not an IG / TikToker / content creator. This is a scientific advancement news report. English might not be her first language and so what, the content is amazing. 🙄🤦🏻♂️
Altus Talent
October 21, 2021 at 10:50 am
My gosh the thickness of that accent. Definitely nothing ambiguous about it’s ethnic origin. I’d purposely make her explain literally everything to me and then tell her I didn’t understand a thing so she can just keep talking forever.
Bob Schrempp
October 21, 2021 at 1:31 pm
I say it is about time, yes 100%, go go go.
Eric Meyer
October 21, 2021 at 2:23 pm
Conventional nuclear set world records for most energy added per person per year back in the 80s in Sweden and France. They decarbonized their entire grids in under 15 years. SMRs could be even faster and may be the only way we can limit global warming AND eliminate energy poverty at the same time.
VAMobMember
October 21, 2021 at 6:26 pm
Great idea, never going to happen. Libs don’t want America to ave cheap power
Daniel Larson
October 22, 2021 at 2:19 am
@Daniel DeMaio If they are going to be powering a conventional steam turbine – generator, the water will be needed for the condenser. This cools the water that goes through the steam turbine. By the time they are building the power plants for purposes such as you envision, they should be well established.
Daniel DeMaio
October 22, 2021 at 4:04 am
@Daniel Larson I thought they were using helium.
Nouel Toma
October 20, 2021 at 7:40 pm
SMOLL RRREACTORR!!
Matt Acosta
October 20, 2021 at 7:42 pm
Idaho?
Akash Singh
October 20, 2021 at 7:46 pm
Is she Spanish ? The accent seems to.
ɌJ
October 20, 2021 at 7:52 pm
Why do I love her already…
Rocket Rob
October 20, 2021 at 8:15 pm
Those R’s are doing a lot more than just rolling. Very attention-grabbing.
Highly Suggestible
October 20, 2021 at 8:16 pm
What do you call a small group of reactors?
YouTubers. ✌🏻
me-click Ltd
October 20, 2021 at 8:59 pm
My dreams are coming true, small NUC is the future
Steven Mancera
October 20, 2021 at 8:59 pm
What will happen to the Nuclear Waste in it, on this smaller scale ones
Hadeks Marow
October 21, 2021 at 12:43 am
Yeah, I don’t get it either. How can you call this clean if it still leaves waste?!
Ian
October 20, 2021 at 9:00 pm
Rrrrrrrrrooooollllllle all de rrrrrrrrrssss
Richard Gray
October 20, 2021 at 9:27 pm
wish nukler go away like some power all go away
Richard Gray
October 20, 2021 at 9:28 pm
such bullcrap clean energy lets break down lie nukler waste never goes away could get in water killing millions out most know it quit lieing
Richard Gray
October 20, 2021 at 9:35 pm
i keep reading comments of people have little brains saying great idea wow why dont we make drinks with nuke waste in it prepare kids for fallout these idiotic ideas make more nuke plants
Booty
October 20, 2021 at 9:36 pm
Them r’s be rollin
The purdy channel
October 20, 2021 at 9:37 pm
Molten salt reactors are great
D K
October 20, 2021 at 9:58 pm
Shinra corp has logged into the chat
emdec55
October 20, 2021 at 10:02 pm
ArrrrrrrrrrrrrrRRRRRRRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrriba
revisionfour
October 20, 2021 at 10:07 pm
I feel like I’m being attacked by Rs.
Robert Eagles
October 20, 2021 at 10:12 pm
And who’s going to protect it from terrorists
Ira Berkowitz
October 20, 2021 at 11:31 pm
Don’t know about the tech or appropriateness of use. But fun to learn about. TY.
crazymohawk86
October 21, 2021 at 12:03 am
I think these will excel in space exploration. These will be more likely suited for space colonies like the Moon Mars where else will go
Moises Harari
October 21, 2021 at 12:46 am
This is how frostpunk started :v
codprawn
October 21, 2021 at 12:54 am
Rolls Royce are launching these. Why no mention of them? They have decades of experience building SMRs for nuclear submarines. Rolls Royce have been pushing them for years but the anti nuclear lobby has been too strong. Finally people are waking up.
Mariachee Bandidos
October 21, 2021 at 1:04 am
cool southern accent
James Diaz
October 21, 2021 at 1:09 am
Probably shouldn’t have thrown away my opportunity to get into the Navy Nuclear program 🙁
Ezra Mantini
October 21, 2021 at 8:44 am
Let’s bet. If this works well, they are taking one to power mars aboard Elon musk starship
Adi Dsgn
October 21, 2021 at 8:57 am
They resemble my fictional “Neutron Power Cell ” that powers my fictional concept robots and cars. Design concept that i did in the year 2014.
Marley Momo
October 21, 2021 at 9:26 am
I rreally loved herr prresentation.. 😂 errrr..
Joseph Rotello
October 21, 2021 at 10:24 am
Be prepared to stop talking about, as has been for perhaps the past 35+ years, and start doing. 2. Safety first, have you contacted Oak Ridge National Laboratory (through UT-Battelle, LLC – a collaboration between Battelle and the University of Tennessee) to discuss any certification ? 3. Can you demonstrate unit, safety and actual application to the American people ?
SunnyD88
October 21, 2021 at 11:19 am
lol like the eco fascists pushing solar and wind and the big oil companies are ever gonna let this happen
Ben Jamin
October 21, 2021 at 11:22 am
Rrrrrrrr-Egulian!
husseyn
October 21, 2021 at 11:39 am
i love how she says “nuclear reactor”
tikslolo
October 21, 2021 at 11:41 am
Fallout
Boko Gigani
October 21, 2021 at 11:53 am
Her accent for my ears like a nuclear reactor.
Bob Schrempp
October 21, 2021 at 1:31 pm
I say yes to SMR, it is about time.
Martin Dubé
October 21, 2021 at 3:16 pm
What about the required employees to run them!? How many does a unit needs to be operated? Do they need to be nuclear specialists or local John can be trained to ru them?
But over all yes, small and modular, that is the future. I was thinking about the same approach for fossile fuel refineries, instead of relying on those few giant refineries in the Mexican golf why not have it in a container size form that can be shipped across the globe like in northern Canada.
paxus calta
October 21, 2021 at 4:05 pm
SMR is a joke. It holds almost all of the problems of conventional reactors (expensive, inflexible, complex and thus error prone, proliferation risks, waste handling problems). AND because it is small, it does not enjoy economies of scale. Conventional reactors are uncompetitive. SMRs are more expensive per KWhr than conventional reactors. Stick with wind, solar and predictive software and batteries, cheaper, faster, cleaner and less likely to kill people you might care for.
logical spartan
October 21, 2021 at 7:37 pm
Mass produce them and use them for desalination plants too.
Chan
October 21, 2021 at 8:20 pm
still not feasable.. everything is a pipe dream. against fossil fuel companies and Politions invested into those companies this is not going to win. plus we still do not have a place to store the used material how ever small. Cost against Natural Gas ya its never going to get close to trying to beat it.
David Burgess
October 21, 2021 at 9:14 pm
SMRs have been the basis for my sustainability project to multitask desalinating seawater and provide energy to the grid. The ability to load follow with renewable energy sources opens up so much more possibilities for climate mitigation and security for developing countries.
Chris Conklin
October 21, 2021 at 9:20 pm
The US Navy has 83 small nuclear reactors located in it’s naval ships. I find it interesting that this small nuclear technology has never been applied ashore. I am not saying that we should get rid of nuclear, there maybe places for it. But, dollar for dollar our money is best spend on solar, wind, distributed generation, hydro power(geothermal, tidal), distribution, and grid scale storage.
Daniel Larson
October 22, 2021 at 2:29 am
You know – If they can crank these things out in goodly quantities, they may not be so expensive and not cover the large amount of land that solar would require.
Chris Conklin
October 22, 2021 at 9:11 am
@Daniel Larson Nuclear energy has always been a promise, and if private funding is willing to invest then do so and not just being a marketing scheme. For me both private and public money should go to the technologies I list above. As to the space taken by said technologies, it is not as much as you think, especially when you consider distributed solar on the roof tops. The biggest problems are the storage and distribution of renewable energy over long distances. The technology (HVDC) exists, but there is resistance to more powerlines. The point here is that the sun, wind, and water are always available somewhere.
Daniel Larson
October 22, 2021 at 1:05 pm
@Chris Conklin More than a promise – The US has generated 20 percent of it’s electricity from nuclear for many years. It is not right to penalize a valid solution to global warming by denying government funding. Nuclear should also receive the generous tax breaks given to other technologies. This is not to deny the other technologies. Do not deny people the choice of nuclear. They should be free to choose many options to save the planet. Do not deny people the progress that can be achieved by this technology that is a reality and not a promise.
Chris Conklin
October 22, 2021 at 2:40 pm
@Daniel Larson You say: ” Do not deny people the choice of nuclear. ” I have been careful not to denigrate nuclear energy. My position is that our resources would be better spent on other renewables. Yes, continue the research, but cutout the nuclear industry’s marketing hype.
Log Dog
October 21, 2021 at 9:26 pm
“Its pronounced Nu-clea-rrrrrrrrr”
– Homer Simpson, probably
Design Dojo
October 21, 2021 at 10:04 pm
her accent ❤
The Arisen
October 21, 2021 at 10:07 pm
Nuclear is actually already very safe. It’s deaths per KW is better than all other energy sources at 90 per KW compared to 150 per KW for Wind & 440 per KW for Solar. I think Nuclear’s unmatched reliability needs to also get more press as it’s 92.5% reliability is a huge deal. Wind is at 35.4% & Solar is 24.9%.
Owen Chua
October 21, 2021 at 10:35 pm
Neewclearrr rrrreeaacter!
Ahmad Zaim Hilmi
October 21, 2021 at 11:16 pm
Much like plastic waste, pretty we’re gonna have to ship nuclear waste out somewhere.
0tube0user
October 21, 2021 at 11:28 pm
Any nuclear plant must be disassembled at the of its life and buried, even future fusion reactors. As more reactors, even as these seemingly safe reactor, more mining will need to be mined and refined. More nuclear waste will come into the existing waste stream and escape into the environment. Pros and cons will meet at demand of energy with need defining the risks society will take to supply energy.
Chronokun
October 21, 2021 at 11:50 pm
SMRs are cool, so are big reactors, so are MMRs
I hope the smaller scale helps them to penetrate the market faster and bring costs down, but looking at the timelines with the first plant not scheduled to be complete until the end of the decade, I worry the regulatory environment has already killed them before they had a chance
Verse
October 22, 2021 at 12:54 am
It’s hard to understand what she’s saying with her huge accent… HORRIBLE english.
Hector Manuel Turbi Castillo
October 22, 2021 at 4:00 am
I love her and all of her old videos on cnet en Español.
Jimmy Rice
October 22, 2021 at 5:25 am
I want a nuke-sniffer reactors
srikar k
October 22, 2021 at 6:02 am
If SMR’s are really safe as advertised then this can be an alternative to fossil fuel plants. We have Solar and Wind for electricity generation but in order to expedite the process of being independent of fossil fuels, we need to include SMR’s as well. Also, we need to come up with ways to utilize spent nuclear fuel, like nuclear batteries which last for thousands of years.
vivek praseed
October 22, 2021 at 8:12 am
Can’t one or more of these be put into spacex’s BFR to power an ion propulsion engine. Wouldn’t the acceleration be enough to get the BFR into the nearest star?
Jason Whittle
October 22, 2021 at 10:48 am
Nuclear is the future. The only reason is is not already is because Mr.Burns was the face of Nuclear. This lady will trigger the least number of people possible.
JSerenity
October 22, 2021 at 10:50 am
I hope they succeed. We are getting ridiculously power hungry species
Alejandro IG
October 22, 2021 at 11:11 am
RRRRRReactor
Joe
October 22, 2021 at 12:34 pm
I suppose the REAL question isn’t “do you support nuclear power”, it’s “do you support nuclear power in YOUR county or town”. If that survey question has very weak support (I suspect it does) then you’re going to have a hard time with SMRs.
You need a large number of small sites, rather than a small number of large sites… that’s a lot of paperwork and red tape in counties across America that will be keen to push back against this. I support SMRs assuming they receive regulator approval, but I don’t see society trending towards trusting professionals and regulators more in the near future.
Lawlzinator
October 22, 2021 at 2:30 pm
Good that people are finally admitting that nuclear is really the only way forward. Solar and wind are expensive and inefficient
Katsufumi Wang
October 22, 2021 at 3:11 pm
ASMRRRRR > SMR
Brian Embry
October 22, 2021 at 4:51 pm
It is about damn time!!! Nuclear is the answer. I am pro wind and solar, but the technology just isn’t there for a HUGE scale rollout. I thinkl that nuclear is the best short term solutions.
icyliciousblue
October 23, 2021 at 12:20 pm
reactorrrrrrrrrr 😜
Ashik Antu
October 23, 2021 at 12:50 pm
Her R’s are more powerful than a nuclear bomb itself 😌
Mihai
October 23, 2021 at 1:51 pm
That accent makes me wanna close the video …
Chinedu Nwokeafor
October 23, 2021 at 2:04 pm
We need more from her! I love her voice!
tomble womble
October 23, 2021 at 3:03 pm
I want my ringtone to be her saying “Nuclear Reactor”.
Wilson
October 23, 2021 at 9:25 pm
Next Christmas, Opera will give her entire audience modular nuclear reactors