Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
NuScale Power has developed a new modular light water reactor nuclear power plant to supply energy for electrical generation, district heating, desalination, hydrogen production and other process heat applications. This groundbreaking small modular reactor (SMR) technology is offered in scalable sizes, including a VOYGR™-12 power plant, which includes 12 (77 MWe) NuScale Power Modules™ (NPM), using a safer, smaller, and scalable version of pressurized water reactor technology.
NuScale also offers smaller power plant solutions, the four-module VOYGR-4 (308 MWe) and six-module VOYGR-6 (462 MWe), though others will be possible. With an array of flexible power options, NuScale is poised to meet the diverse energy needs of customers across the world. The majority investor in NuScale is Fluor Corporation, a global engineering, procurement, and construction company with more than 70 years supporting nuclear projects.
Patent development
SMRs are nuclear reactors that can operate independently or in tandem with other modules to produce carbon-free electric power on a smaller scale and at a lower cost than traditional nuclear power. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved NuScale’s technology, representing a significant milestone that no other SMR developer has achieved.
NuScale’s robust patent development and protection program actively identifies and protects its designs and innovations in nuclear technology—focusing on key innovations for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). NuScale’s portfolio includes patent filings related to advanced safety features, enhanced fuel performance, SMR scalability and modularity, and many other nuclear innovations.
In 2013, NuScale announced it had received a US Patent for its Steam Generator Flow By-Pass System which relates to a system for removing decay heat from its reactor.
Furthermore, NuScale announced a major technological breakthrough whereby the NuScale Power Module does not require any operator action, electrical power—alternate current (AC) or direct current (DC)—nor additional water beyond system inventory, to achieve indefinite cooling in a station blackout condition, like that encountered at Fukushima Daiichi.
In the global race to rapidly decrease emissions worldwide, NuScale’s technology presents the perfect solution to reach this goal while simultaneously bringing economic prosperity to host countries.
Increasing deployment readiness
After receiving the first ever small modular reactor design (SMR) approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in August 2020, NuScale has been focused on completion of its deployment readiness program, including finalization of the standard plant design and supply chain readiness like extensive manufacturing trials.
In May 2022, NuScale became the first publicly traded company focused on the design and deployment of SMR technology; this growth, in combination with this announced strategic shift, will bolster and accelerate the commercialization of NuScale’s SMR technology.
Additionally, the customer-centric restructuring is a critical step to prepare the organization to scale and meet the rapidly growing global demand for NuScale’s premier clean energy solution.
For NuScale’s current customer, Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems’ Carbon Free Power Project, current project activities include the placement of long-lead equipment orders. Other landmark customer engagements in Poland and Romania underscore the need for a proactive restructuring to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of NuScale’s contractual obligations for customer projects.
As more utilities, institutions, and countries see NuScale’s VOYGR™ plants as the premier energy solution to address the challenge of mitigating climate change while protecting global prosperity, NuScale is ready to meet the moment.
Source: NuScale, June 20, 2022
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