Report says new nuclear reactor is risky; utilities disagree

[Marlin]

Report says new nuclear reactor is risky; utilities disagree


https://apnews.com/article/climate-business-environment-and-nature-utilities-us-nuclear-regulatory-commission-9a90572572da18a4f36184417c3e3d1d

[UncaBuffalo]

https://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,49126.msg216793/topicseen.html#new ;-)

[Marlin]

https://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,49126.msg216793/topicseen.html#new ;-)

    To me it's apples and oranges. Though the Vogtle plants are a new design they are still old thinking. SMRs are built and shipped to the site. Delay costs are mitigated by graded construction. Regulations will have to be revised to match the new designs that present a much lower risk, some are self contained in the reactor vessel and are under ground level. To match the capcity of traditional large plants you would have place 10 to 12 on site but this allows the utility to start making money while building subsequent plants after the first is built. It reduces the need to use subcontractors as rotating outages and maintenance could be done by in house personel.Micro reactors are in the plans for remote location and the military. These micro reactors would fit into a cargo container. Beyond utilities industries with high power needs and high heat would be able to install SMR's on site (steel, Bitcoin etc.). I hwve read articles on micro reactors that are self contained and could be placed at reststops to recharge cars and trucks.

"That's Just my opinion, I could be wrong."  Dennis Miller

 

[UncaBuffalo]

And, I absolutely hope you are right! The world will be a better place if we can supply some cheap, clean energy with these new designs. And, I am biased. Graduated in Idaho Falls...went to Vo-Tech...have family in area...have worked INL multiple times. Would LOVE having several new reactors go into area.

That being said, having also worked WPPSS and Watts Bar, I felt like the initial report pointing out nuclear's less-than-stellar record in being able to finish a plant on budget was almost a Captain Obvious moment? And you can say Apples & Oranges, but...are you really going to tell me you don't think the new designs are going to have a few bugs to be worked out?

[UncaBuffalo]

...and another Captain Obvious: OF COURSE the utilities disagree with the report...but a utility's primary function is to maximize investor returns, NOT to protect the rate-payers?  Many utilities have MADE money on boondoggles that ended up raising power rates for the consumer?






and...to repeat...I am NOT a hater...

And, I absolutely hope you are right! The world will be a better place if we can supply some cheap, clean energy with these new designs. And, I am biased. Graduated in Idaho Falls...went to Vo-Tech...have family in area...have worked INL multiple times. Would LOVE having several new reactors go into area.

[Marlin]

That being said, having also worked WPPSS and Watts Bar, I felt like the initial report pointing out nuclear's less-than-stellar record in being able to finish a plant on budget was almost a Captain Obvious moment?

Which is why I pointed out the construction method enhanced safety basis that mitigate initial constuction cost. Some of that will depend on modification of regulations from the larger older plants to a more realistic regulatory environment for less risky SMRs.

Yes there probably will be some delays but with a simpler IKEA reactor design it would seem not as severe. Hmmmm... maybe IKEA is not the best example depending on assembler.