ANSTO, the home of Australia’s nuclear science and technology expertise, provides trusted advice to the Australian Government on matters relating to developments in nuclear science and technology.
Through our significant research capabilities and expertise supporting nuclear reactor operations and nuclear facilities, ANSTO also contributes to the development of these technologies overseas.
The designs of future nuclear power reactors are very different from those designed and built in the last century. The new reactors have been engineered with advanced safety features to ensure a sustainable source of clean electricity for the future.
New nuclear power technologies
There has been considerable public discussion about small modular reactors (SMRs) as the newest, most innovative and versatile nuclear power solution in comparison to large reactors, that many countries around the world are interested in adopting.
As Australia’s knowledge centre for current and emerging nuclear technologies, it is important that Australians are kept abreast of global developments in nuclear power technologies.
Conventional reactors
-Pressurized water reactor (PWR)
-Boiling water reactor (BWR)
_Pressurised heavy water reactor (PHWR)
-Advanced gas-cooled reactor (AGR)
-Light water graphite-moderated reactor (LWGMR)
-Fast neutron reactor (FNR)
Small modular reactors
Multiple designs
Gen IV reactors
-Sodium Fast Reactor
-Lead Fast Reactor
-Very High Temperature Reactor
-Gas-cooled Fast Reactor
-Supercooled Water Cooled Reactor
Molten Salt Cooled Reactor
So, what are small modular reactors, or SMRs? The term refers to a class of modern reactors that are essentially “small”, and each unit can be manufactured in a factory.
They are “modular” in the sense that each unit can be assembled next to another and scaled up or down to meet the local electricity needs.
They are also designed to “plug in” to existing power networks and therefore can essentially replace an aging power station with a modern, reliable, and zero-emissions power source.
SMRs differ from today’s more common nuclear power reactors in a few important ways:
First, their holistic approach to manufacturing occurs through design simplification. Compared to the complex design and construction of currently operating large-scale reactors, simplification opens up the prospect of assembly-line manufacturing of pre-fabricated modules—providing economies of scale.
As the majority of construction takes place off-site, building small modular reactors are expected to take less time than a conventional reactor build.
It is possible to construct a reactor with a single module or use units in combination for greater power output. Additional modular units can be added and brought online incrementally for greater power output.
Read more about small modular reactors below.
