2.
SMALL MODULAR REACTORS AND
THE TECHNOLOGY ROADMAP
This section describes the current status of SMR deployment, and provides a brief discussion
of the term ‘modular’ and how it is used. It also highlights the aspects of infrastructure development,
non‑proliferation and safeguards that are not included in the roadmap, but that are essential to support
any nuclear power programme. Finally, a summary of the various types of technology roadmap and their
importance is presented.
2.1. CURRENT STATUS OF DEPLOYMENT
SMRs are designed to be manufactured as needed, with their modules tested in the manufacturing
facilities before being shipped to utilities for installation. These approaches aim to reduce lengthy
construction times while simultaneously increasing quality, thereby minimizing the financing costs
associated with today’s large construction projects. Some SMR design concepts are intended to be
deployed in multiple module configurations within a single power plant. Several countries are also
pioneering the development of transportable nuclear power plants, including marine based floating
and seabed based SMRs. In December 2019, the Akademik Lomonosov floating nuclear power plant
was connected to the electricity grid in Pevek, Russian Federation and started commercial operation on
22 May 2020. Several other SMR designs, and the associated technology, are expected by 2030 and later.
A large number of SMR designs that cater to different end uses and power producing capacities
are being developed around the world. The list of these SMRs is changing continually as new companies
are set up and concepts are developed, and also as companies restructure or abandon, or combine efforts
to establish credibility with potential customers in different Member States. The Annex discusses three
SMR deployments that were under way in 2020. Perhaps the most important goal of SMR technology
is to significantly reduce the scheduling risk associated with nuclear reactor construction and its
associated cost of debt.
In this publication, SMRs are categorized into three distinct groups:
(1) SMRs recently connected to the grid and currently under construction. For the most part these are
designs with significant government backing and are being built as prototypical facilities or as first
of a kind (FOAK) demonstration and commercial facilities. These SMRs are discussed in the Annex.
(2) SMRs likely to be deployed in the next ten years following completion of design, testing and R&D
activities. These designs have well advanced development programmes and significant government
or private sector support. They are likely to use more traditional technological methods (hence a
shorter development timeline) with evolutionary changes, but may not have the increased efficiencies
of more advanced technologies.
(3) SMRs likely to be deployed within 20 years. These designs are currently establishing R&D
programmes to test new approaches and materials and may need to generate significant testing and
even operating experience in areas such as safety performance of fuels, corrosion tolerance, ageing
mechanisms and component reliability.
Some developers of advanced SMR technologies have proposed novel solutions to bypass some of
the time consuming test programmes, especially those dealing with materials development. For example,
these could include defining shorter lifetimes of some components and equipment where long term
operating experience does not currently exist. This could shorten the time to deployment, but may also
carry additional regulatory and licensing risks. Some Member States allow licensing through a prototype
