Fortum Explains Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
Fortum Oyj has published an explanation of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), detailing their potential role in meeting future energy demands and supporting the transition to a fossil-free society.
Energy company Fortum Oyj has released a blog post clarifying the concept of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and their potential role in future energy production. According to Fortum, SMRs could be a significant solution for meeting increasing electricity demands required for the transition of industry and transport towards a fossil-free future.
Nuclear power is essential for achieving climate goals in Sweden, offering reliable, dispatchable, and emission-free electricity. It currently accounts for approximately 30 percent of Sweden's energy production and 19 percent of Fortum's own generation. SMRs differ from conventional reactors in size and can be placed closer to where electricity is needed, for example, for fossil-free hydrogen production.
The premise for SMRs involves factory serial production and standardized designs, which could lead to lower costs compared to current site-built, often custom-designed, conventional reactors. Their design incorporates passive safety systems, further enhancing safety and reducing reliance on external water and electricity supplies to maintain safety regulations.
Fortum is actively participating in the development of SMR technology. The company is involved in an SMR project in Estonia and collaborates with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to develop economic and technical modeling tools. Despite rapid international development, Sweden still faces energy policy and regulatory hurdles, including siting restrictions and a lack of national regulations for approving small reactors, which need to be addressed to advance the technology.