Nuclear Tech: Minister Invite Participation of Pvt Sector and Startups for Building SMR Technology Within India

Union minister Dr Jitendra Singh has recently told that India is taking steps for development of Small Modular Reactors (SMR), with up to 300 MW capacity to fulfill its commitment to Clean Energy transition.

Small modular reactors (SMRs) are nuclear fission reactors that are smaller than conventional nuclear reactors as we know it. SMRs are modular nuclear reactor units with an output of up to 300 megawatts of electricity. Given their smaller footprint, SMRs can be sited on locations which are not suitable for larger nuclear power plants.

Addressing a Workshop on Small Modular Reactors (SMR) organized by NITI Aayog and Department of Atomic Energy, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the participation of private sector and Start-ups needs to be explored in development of this critical technology within India. He emphasized that technology sharing and availability of funding are the two crucial links for ensuring commercial availability of SMR technology.

The minister said that the exploration of new clean energy options is in tune with Prime Minister Modi’s roadmap for clean energy transition through bold climate commitments which are reflected in our updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

"We have already taken steps for clean energy transition with penetration of non-fossil based energy resources and achieving net-zero by 2070, nuclear in terms of base load power can play a big role in the de-carbonization strategy. It is in this context that the role of nuclear energy will be critical for clean energy transition of not just India but for the entire World.",said Dr. Singh.

While there are few startups across the globe working on SMR technology, one of them is NuScale, a US based nuclear tech startup, which in August 2020 became

first such startup to receive design approval from U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

As of now, the floating nuclear power plant Akademik Lomonosov (operating in Pevek in Russia's Far East) is the first and only operating SMR prototype in the world.

British luxury car maker Rolls-Royce is also working of SMR technology. Other companies working on SMR technology include Hyperion, Holtec, General Atomics, and Hybrid Power Technologies.

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