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There is a great deal of interest today in what are called small modular reactors (SMR) in the nuclear industry. A small modular reactor is defined as a nuclear fission reactor that produces three hundred million watts of electricity or less. It is hoped that manufacture of these SMRs in factories will improve safety and lower costs.
Holtec International is a global supplier of equipment and systems to the energy industry. They are based out of Camden, New Jersey. Holtec specializes in the design and manufacture of components for nuclear reactors. They also manufacture and sell dry cask storage systems for spent nuclear fuel assemblies.
The Holtec Inherently Safe Modular Underground Reactor SMR-160 is a design for a pressurized water reactor that will generate one hundred and sixty megawatts of electricity. In 2018, Holtec and GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy signed a contract to collaborate on the commercialization of the SMR-160.
Holtec describes the SMR-160 as a "passive, intrinsically safe, secure and economical small modular reactor that has the flexibility to be used in remote locations, in areas with limited water supplies or land, and in unique industrial applications where traditional larger reactors are not practical.”
Holtec also says that “The plant offers a balanced combination of practical innovation and proven technology to withstand the most severe postulated accidents. This advanced nuclear power plant has major appeal in domestic and international markets, offering a right-sized, cost-effective solution for carbon-free energy, and ensuring attainable power options to existing and emerging global economies demanding increased certainty of public safety, environmental protection and security from intrusion and proliferation of nuclear materials.”
The SMR-160 is currently under review by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and is in Phase One of the three phase CNSC evaluation cycle. The State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine has a collaborative agreement with the CNSC. It is expected to coordinate its regulatory review of the SMR 160 with the CNSC.
The President of Ukraine’s Energoatom has announced that he will create a consortium with Holtec and the Ukrainian State Scientific and Technical Centre for Nuclear and Radiation Safety (SSTC-NRS) to investigate the technical and environmental feasibility of qualifying a “generic” SMR-160 system that can be constructed and operated anywhere in Ukraine. Holtec gives "…absolute assurance of public health and safety" for the SMR-160. The terms of engagement for the consortium will be announced soon.
Holtec has also announced signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Exelon Generation to add them to the SMR-160 team which currently includes SNC-Lavin and Mitsubishi Electric. Chris Mudrick is the senior vice president for Northeast Operations for Exelon Generation. He said, “As the largest nuclear operator in the United States, Exelon Generation is pleased to partner with Holtec to develop an operating model for the SMR-160. This project is a great example of how innovation and new technologies are bringing our industry together and driving the future of nuclear power.”
The MoU says that Exelon will support the market acceptance of the SMR-160, create a generic deployment schedule and staffing plan, and assist improvements of the SMR-160 operational and maintainability features. As SMR-160s as built and deployed around the world, Exelon could supply reactor operating services to customers who do not have an established nuclear industry infrastructure.