Westinghouse Nuclear announced the SMR AP300. A small analogue of AP1000
04.05.2023
"Huge news for small modular reactors. Westinghouse Nuclear just announced its AP300 SMR reactor", the US Department of Energy wrote on Facebook today.
The Westinghouse SMR is based on the AP1000 reactor and will use the same equipment, components, passive safety systems, fuel and proven supply chains, the DoE said.
The compact design is also expected to reduce construction, operation and maintenance costs.
Westinghouse Nuclear reports more details on this. "Our AP1000® reactor is already proving its effectiveness every day around the world. Currently, four units with AP1000 technology are operating in China, setting performance records. Six more are under construction in China, and one AP1000 reactor is operating at the Vogtle NPP in Georgia, and another is nearing completion construction. Our AP300 SMR uses operational experience, as well as tens of millions of hours spent on the development of the AP1000 reactor", the company informs.
It is noted that the AP300 SMR reactor complements the AP1000 reactor, providing cleaner energy, energy security, as well as flexibility and stabilization of the power system.
SMR AP300 with a capacity of 300 MWtel (900 MW thermal) is based on the licensed and operational light water technology under pressure AP1000.
According to Westinghouse, the benefits of creating the AP300 are as follows:
- over 30 years of licensing advanced passive safety technologies by global regulators;
- the use of established infrastructure, including a developed supply chain and services for operation and maintenance;
- Westinghouse is a world leader in the supply of nuclear fuel. The AP300 SMR uses its fuel design, which includes a variety of proven and improved fuel characteristics, as well as a four-year reload cycle.
To simplify operation and increase reliability, advanced proven technologies of control and measuring devices and control systems are used, - the American company notes.
Westinghouse notes that it has been a pioneer in the development of advanced passive safety systems, and the AP300 SMR is based on the proven AP1000 passive safety systems, which have undergone extensive analysis and testing. "Global regulatory authorities have tested these systems and determined that they meet advanced safety criteria", the company's website says.
Fault tolerance, according to the company, involves achieving and maintaining a safe shutdown state without operator intervention, backup power or pumps.
A self-sufficient passive approach to the operation of the security system eliminates the need for backup power and cooling, the AP300 promo notes.
In addition, the AP300 reactor is said to be protected by a robust enclosure designed to withstand extreme external hazards, as well as having multiple layers of protection to mitigate the effects of accidents.
The ease of deployment of the reactor is also noted.
The company claims that the AP300 passive safety system, based on the licensed AP1000 technology, has undergone extensive testing.
In addition, Westinghouse notes that it has a reliable supply chain, but also foresees the possibility of its localization.
According to the company, the simplified, modular, ultra-compact nuclear island reduces costs and construction time.
"Flexible features provide a proven ability to stabilize today's high-capacity renewable energy grids, including the ability to quickly change loads to support demand fluctuations. Includes additional capabilities to support district heating, water desalination and hydrogen production", adds Westinghouse Nuclear.
The company does not state the estimated cost of such a reactor. At the same time, the owners of other SMR technologies call the cost of construction more than 1 billion dollars.
It should also be noted that Westinghouse is the only SMR developer that has experience in implementing modular reactor designs.
We will remind you that on April 21, 2023, Petro Kotin, president of the Energoatom, and Dr. Chris Singh, president and CEO of the American company Holtec International, signed an agreement on cooperation in the deployment of small modular reactors (SMR). The agreement provides for the construction of up to 20 SMR-160 reactors, with the implementation of the first pilot project and exit to the minimum regulated power of the reactor and connection to the network by March 2029.