Definition of SMR
Small comes from the physical size of the reactors. An SMR is a fraction of the size of a conventional
nuclear power reactor.
Modular means that the reactor’s components are factory-manufactured as modules and
transported to where they will be installed. They are a replica of a prototype as they are serially
produced in exact copies based on the design.
Reactor. SMR uses fission technology. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IEA),
the reactor must have a maximum capacity of around 300 megawatts (MW) per unit to be
designated as SMR. It is three approx. Times less than conventional larger reactors [1]. SMR’s
capacity can always be adjusted by adding new modules.
SMR types
SMRs are not a distinct type of reactor but a family of different reactor designs. More than 70 SMR
designs are being developed worldwide [2].
SMR can be based on conventional Generation III+ and advanced Generation IV designs.
Security
The SMR is designed with passive cooling, meaning no human intervention or external power is
required to shut down the reactor when necessary. This significantly increases the reactor’s safety,
as a power failure or human error would not cause a nuclear meltdown and release of radioactivity
[3, 4].
Conclusion
Overall, managing a construction process for an SMR on a factory assembly line rather than a large
project out in the countryside is significantly more accessible, faster, and cheaper.
This enables SMR to be sent out to all parts of the world, including incredibly remote areas that are
not connected to a specific energy grid.
Sources
1- https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/what-are-small-modular-reactors-smrs
2- https://aris.iaea.org/Publications/SMR_Book_2020.pdf
3- https://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-fuel-cycle/nuclear-power-
reactors/small-nuclear-power-reactors.aspx
4- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0029549315001545?casa_token=5hW9p0Q
wJIEAAAAA:WGorVdcIarlylsC0nDSFmyo6qHMoVXEOf-
2_Zf2NodRT3kUg6g3nxyZDJvEI6a8oLfYfC3aEdBg
