• Neon Nomad
  • Posts
  • The Latest Developments in Nuclear Energy

The Latest Developments in Nuclear Energy

What Our Future Holds

Author

Mark Brunjes
October 13, 2023

Key points to supercharge your conversations this week

  • Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) offer compact, cost-efficient, and scalable nuclear power solutions, with NuScale's US federal approval marking progress in SMR deployment.

  • Advanced Reactor Technologies (Generation IV) promise enhanced safety, efficiency, and reduced waste, with private companies like TerraPower and X-energy leading the way.

  • Nuclear Fusion, a boundless, clean energy source, is being pursued by companies like Helion Energy and Commonwealth Fusion Systems.

  • The fusion of these technologies heralds a future of abundant, clean, and reliable energy, steering us toward a sustainable and radiant global future.

Introduction

Reference to Previous Article

In the first installment of this two-part series, we delved into the basics of nuclear energy, unraveling the atomic mechanisms of nuclear fission and the operational ethos of nuclear power plants. As we transition into this sequel, we aim to elevate our exploration from the foundational to the frontier, shedding light on the burgeoning innovations within the realm of nuclear energy technology.

Purpose of the Article

As the clock ticks on climate change, the quest for cleaner, more efficient energy solutions intensifies. Amid this quest, nuclear energy technology is undergoing a renaissance, birthing innovations that could redefine our energy landscape.

This article aims to unravel the latest advancements in nuclear energy technology, diving into Small Modular Reactors, Advanced Reactor Technologies, Nuclear Innovations for Net Zero, and the promising frontier of Nuclear Fusion. Through a lens focused on innovation, we'll explore how these advancements could propel us towards a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

Small Modular Reactor Technologies

Definition of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are a type of nuclear reactor that are smaller in size compared to traditional nuclear reactors. They are designed for serial manufacturing and can be transported to the sites where they will be used. Their modular nature allows for less on-site construction, reduced capital costs, and increased containment efficiency​​.

Advantages of SMRs

  • Cost Efficiency: SMRs are often seen as a more cost-effective way to generate nuclear energy. Their smaller size and modular construction can significantly reduce initial capital investment, making them a more accessible option for regions with smaller electrical grids and fewer financial resources​.

  • Scalability: The modular design allows for scalability. A nuclear power plant can begin operations with a single module and then add more modules as demand for electricity increases.

  • Flexibility: SMRs can be deployed in various settings, including remote or off-grid areas, and can provide power for both electrical grids and other applications like desalination.

  • Reduced Environmental Impact: SMRs have a smaller environmental footprint due to their size and the efficiency of their operations which can help in reducing greenhouse gas emissions​​.

Current status of SMRs

The progress of SMRs towards commercial deployment has seen notable advancements, especially with the NuScale's design approval by the US federal government, marking a significant milestone in the journey of SMRs towards becoming a part of the nuclear energy landscape​​. Several other companies, including Kairos Power and GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, are also in the race to develop commercial SMRs. On a global scale, China connected an SMR to the electrical grid in 2021, and GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy signed commercial contracts for a plant in Ontario, which could come online in the mid-2030s.

The development of SMRs has presented a glimpse of how nuclear energy can become more accessible and potentially more acceptable to the public, given the lower associated risks and smaller environmental footprint. However, the road to this point has been riddled with delays and cost hikes, with the lengthy regulatory process in the US being a major hurdle. The journey of SMRs from design to commercial deployment exemplifies the challenges that innovative nuclear technologies face, despite their promising potential to address some of the critical issues associated with nuclear energy.

Advanced Reactor Technologies

Definition of Advanced Reactors

Advanced reactors, also referred to as Generation IV reactors, represent the next wave of innovation in nuclear technology. They are designed to address the challenges and limitations of earlier reactor designs by enhancing safety, improving efficiency, and reducing waste. Advanced reactors are engineered to utilize various coolants and fuels, aiming to be more economical and versatile than their predecessors (World Nuclear Association) (Department of Energy).

Current Status of Advanced Reactors

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) launched the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP) to fast-track the development and deployment of advanced reactors. Significant investments are being made through this initiative, with the aim of commercial operation by the late 2020s.

Two private pioneering companies, TerraPower and X-energy, are at the forefront of advancing nuclear reactor technologies, and are aiming to have operational reactors within the next seven years.

TerraPower is fostering the Natrium technology, which couples a cost-competitive sodium fast reactor with a molten salt energy storage system, heralding one of the quickest and most economical routes to delivering transformative, clean energy.

On the other hand, X-energy is propelling the Xe-100 reactor forward, a high-temperature gas-cooled design, which builds upon extensive development and a robust fuel form. This reactor not only offers flexible electricity output, ideal for a renewable-heavy grid, but also addresses the process heat requirements for various industrial applications, aiding in their decarbonization.

These avant-garde nuclear reactors are envisioned to power residences and commercial entities, significantly slash greenhouse gas emissions, optimize fuel use, embody inherently safe designs, and synergize cleanly and reliably with renewable energy sources like solar and wind.

Nuclear Fusion

Definition of Nuclear Fusion

Nuclear fusion is a process where two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus. It's the same reaction that powers the sun and holhe promise to provide abundant, safe, and carbon-free energy.

Advantages of Nuclear Fusion

  • Abundant Fuel Supply: Fusion relies on isotopes of hydrogen, which are widely available and can provide millennia of power.

  • Carbon-Free: Fusion doesn't produce carbon emissions, making it a critical solution for climate change.

  • Safety: Unlike fission, fusion doesn't create long-lived radioactive waste and carries no risk of a runaway reaction (a fusion "meltdown" is not possible).

Current Status of Nuclear Fusion

The quest for controlled nuclear fusion is advancing, with several experimental reactors demonstrating the core principles. However, commercial fusion power remains on the horizon, awaiting key technological breakthroughs.

  • Overview of Helion Energy: Helion Energy is at the forefront of making fusion energy a reality. Their unique approach, known as magneto-inertial fusion, aims to create a fusion reactor that's compact, modular, and cost-effective.

  • Magneto-inertial fusion technology: This technology blends magnetic confinement and inertial confinement fusion, seeking to harness the best of both worlds.

  • Milestones achieved by Helion Energy: Helion has achieved significant milestones, showcasing the potential of their fusion technology.

  • Collaboration with Nucor Corporation: Helion has teamed up with Nucor Corporation to explore the potential of fusion for carbon-free steel production.

  • Overview of Commonwealth Fusion Systems: A spinoff from MIT, Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) is on a mission to enable world-scale fusion power, focusing on the SPARC and ARC projects.

  • SPARC and ARC projects: SPARC aims to be the first fusion device to achieve net positive energy, while ARC envisions a full-scale, fusion-powered electricity plant.

  • Collaboration with MIT's Plasma Science and Fusion Center: Working closely with MIT, CFS is accelerating the path to commercial fusion energy.

Conclusion

We embarked on a nuclear odyssey, traversing the realms of Small Modular and Advanced Reactor Technologies, and journeyed to the frontier of Nuclear Fusion. Companies like TerraPower, X-energy, Helion Energy, and Commonwealth Fusion Systems are at the forefront, pioneering innovations that could redefine our energy landscape.

Future of Nuclear Energy Technology

As we stand on the cusp of a nuclear renaissance, the fusion of these technologies could unlock boundless possibilities—ushering in a new era where clean, abundant, and reliable energy powers our world. This narrative is not just about atomic interactions, but about a global synergy towards a sustainable and radiant future.

Sources: