Timeline of readiness for deployment

CROSS-CUTS OF SMR DESIGNS 3.1. Timeline of readiness for deployment 

The data in Fig. 1 are exclusive responsibility of the designers of their respective SMRs. The IAEA secretariat has introduced no corrections or adjustments to these data. As an example, the authors of a fixed bed nuclear reactor (FBNR, Brazil) claim their design to be simple and thoroughly based on the existing PWR technology, which they view as a decisive factor in making it suitable for a near term deployment. However, the discussion at the meeting 

As it can be seen from both Fig. 1 and Table 1, water cooled SMRs are the most suitable candidates for a near-term deployment. The high temperature gas cooled reactors with thermal neutron spectrum follow them closely. Small PWR designs from Russia are based on the experience of the marine reactors and are said to be deployable within a very short term, once the financing for a necessary limited amount of the Research, Design Demonstration (RD D) becomes available. 

One notable exception is the Russian lead-bismuth cooled reactor SVBR-75/100, which has reached the detailed design stage and is expected to be ready for licensing soon. The reason behind this is that the SVBR-75/100 is thoroughly based on 80 reactor-years of the operation experience of its submarine prototypes. 

---

This chapter also summarizes the design approaches and technical features for the nearer and longer term concepts, outlines the scope of further necessary R D, provides an assessment of timelines of readiness for deployment for certain groups of the concepts, and reflects on the strategies to facilitate plant commercialization. 

Innovative SMR designs are under development for water cooled, gas cooled, liquid metal cooled and molten salt cooled reactor lines, as well as some non-conventional combinations thereof The targeted timelines of readiness for deployment vary between 2010 and 2030 the major concerns addressed by the innovation cover a broader spectrum of subject areas as compared to the operating and near term evolutionary NPPs, see Table 1. Such extended consideration is apparently due to the anticipated growth and geographical expansion of nuclear power. 

Over the past four years, the PBMR has moved from a conceptual to the detailed design stage. The timeline of readiness for demonstration plant deployment was rescheduled from 2005 to 2010. 

---