Human history has developed as different forms of energy have been discovered. Studies to obtain more energy allow for the efficient use of existing resources or the discovery of new resources.
One of the most powerful known energy sources is nuclear energy. While nuclear energy can provide enough electricity to light a country, if safety systems are not used correctly and maintenance is neglected, it can create powerful effects that will disrupt the balance of nature, such as the accidents experienced in Chernobyl and Fukushima.
While 60 MW of energy could be obtained from nuclear reactors first built in the 1950s, this figure has now reached 1,600 MW. In addition to large reactors, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which are still under development, are promising for alternative powerful energy production.
So what are Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)?
SMRs are defined as small nuclear reactors with a maximum output of 300 Megawatts of electricity (MW) and can produce 7.2 million kWh per day. In comparison, large-scale nuclear power plants have outputs of over 1,000 MW and can produce 24 million kWh per day. SMRs can range from around 20 megawatts of electricity (MW) to 300 MW and can use a variety of possible coolants, such as light water, liquid metal or molten salt, depending on the technology.
SMR is the general term used to name this type of reactor, although those that do not rely on light water technology are often referred to as advanced modular reactors. They all use nuclear fission reactions to generate heat, which can be used directly or to generate electricity.
The economic and commercial case for SMRs is different from traditional nuclear power plants. SMRs have a number of advantages:
- In addition to contributing to the decarbonization of the EU energy mix, SMRs can help stabilize the electricity grid in a system where the share of renewables is high and electricity demand is increasing.
- Being smaller in size, power output and capacity, they require less space and less cooling water, but offer greater flexibility in site selection than large nuclear power plants.
- They are modular and can be mass-produced, resulting in production cost savings through economies of scale.
- Since their systems and components can be factory-assembled, they can be transported to a site in modules or even entire units, reducing installation costs.
- Small-scale renewable energy plants (SMRs) are well suited to replace fossil fuel-fired power plants and preserve highly skilled employment opportunities in regions affected by the closure of such plants.
- They are well suited to be integrated into energy hubs together with other energy sources and energy vectors, such as renewables and hydrogen.
- They are adapted to provide electricity and are also capable of providing heat for industrial applications, district heating and hydrogen production.
There are more than 80 SMR designs in various stages of development in 18 countries around the world. Countries such as the US, UK, Canada, Japan and South Korea are actively developing their own designs, while Russia and China connected their first SMRs to the grid in 2019 and 2021 respectively. The recent energy crisis, exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has highlighted the added value of the EU’s strategic energy independence, strengthening Europe’s ambition to become a leader in innovative energy technologies, including Small Reactor Nuclear Power (SMR).
At this point, the European Union has started to support research and development activities on Small Reactor Rail Systems (SMR) under the EU Euratom Research and Training Programme (2021-2025). The program addresses nuclear safety, security, safeguards, radiation protection and radioactive waste management, and places great emphasis on developing nuclear-related skills.
With the aim of ensuring the successful commissioning of the first SMR projects in the early 2030s and thus placing Europe in a good position for global competition, the European Commission launched the European SMR Industrial Alliance in February 2024. The Alliance aims to facilitate and accelerate the development, promotion and deployment of the first SMR projects in Europe in the early 2030s. It operates through specific working groups to improve favourable conditions for the development, promotion and deployment of SMRs, including the revitalization of the nuclear supply chain. Its activities aim to support specific SMR projects and accelerate their deployment on the European market.
Romania was the first country in the world to take concrete steps regarding Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which pave the way for the integration of nuclear technologies into new industrial applications and incorporate innovative safety features that make them more attractive to potential investors.
Romania, which has one of the smallest economies among the European Union (EU) countries, will be the first country in the “old continent” to have small modular nuclear reactor (SMR) technology within the scope of the “Phoenix Project” it initiated with the USA. With this development, while the Bucharest administration is looking for a solution to the energy crisis that emerged in Europe after the Russia-Ukraine war, Romania will make a significant breakthrough by having the “cleanest and safest nuclear energy” system among the EU countries. It has been stated that more modular nuclear power plants will be built in the region in the near future as per the agreement made between the Washington and Bucharest administrations.
With the Phoenix Project, it is planned to close down the old system power plants operating on coal and other fossil fuels in the country in the near future. Romania has received 254 million euros in financial support for the new technology modular nuclear power plant to be built in the Doicesti region, north of the capital Bucharest. A total of 6 nuclear modules will be built within the scope of the Phoenix Project and will provide employment for approximately 2,000 people. Thanks to this new generation power plant, the release of 4 million tons of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere will be prevented annually. Within the scope of the Phoenix Project, it is aimed to build modular nuclear power plants in the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia, in addition to Romania, with the support of the USA.
As a result; Romania will thus become the second country to use this technology after the USA and the first in Europe. The European Green Deal, the Fit For 55 policy package and REPowerEU play a central role in driving the energy transition and the decarbonization of industry in Europe. Emerging technologies such as small modular reactors (SMRs) are making significant progress and are thought to play an important role in integrated energy systems, providing low-carbon energy with a relatively small environmental impact.
On the other hand; SMRs can help respond to the upcoming high demand for clean electricity and large amounts of hydrogen, complementing traditional nuclear technologies and contributing to European climate mitigation and sustainability efforts by simultaneously producing low-carbon electricity and heat alongside renewable energy in a reliable, consistent and safe manner.
Sources
Cem, BAĞDATLIOĞLU; “Nükleer Enerjide Yeni Adım: Küçük Modüler Reaktörler”, Bilim ve Teknik, Şubat 2012, s.56-57.
“Nükleer Enerjinin Yeni Nesli: Küçük Modüler Reaktörler”, Trend Analizi, Thinkteck STM Teknolojik Düşünce Merkezi, Haziran, 2022.
https://e-dergi.tubitak.gov.tr
https://thinktech.stm.com.tr/tr/nukleer-enerjinin-yeni-nesli-kucuk-moduler-reaktorler
She graduated from Çankaya University Faculty of Law in 2005. In the same year, she completed her master’s degree in Constitutional Law at Çankaya University, Department of Public Law. Until 2011, she worked as an ODY-ÜDY Instructor at Vocational Training Centers affiliated with the Ministry of Transport. For approximately 15 years, she has been working as a legal expert at the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB). Initially, she was involved in Foreign Trade and International Logistics at TOBB and represented the United Nations for nearly seven years. She is currently serving as a legal expert in the SME Policies Directorate within the TOBB Department of Real Sector R&D and Implementation.
Meanwhile, she is working on completing her doctoral dissertation in Administrative Law at Gazi University, Department of Public Law-Administrative Law. After completing her thesis on TOBB, which is recognized by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) in Turkey, she plans to publish it as a book.
Additionally, since 2023, she has been writing columns in the London section of “DÜNDAR HUKUK” and “DÜNDAR LEGAL SERVICE CONSULTANCY,” which have established themselves internationally, particularly in the field of energy and renewable energy.