Safety of light water small modular reactors (LW-SMRs)

There is growing interest in some EU Member States in using small modular reactors (SMRs) for flexible power generation. This provides the opportunity of cogeneration and enables hybrid energy systems that integrate nuclear and renewables.

SMRs are defined as power reactors up to 300 MWe, whose components can be factory-made and transported as modules for installation. There is consensus within the international expert community that SMRs, when compared to large power plants, offer potential advantages in terms of design simplification and inherent safety features, while posing some new challenges with regard to safety, security and safeguards.

Research proposals should address safety aspects on integration of LW-SMRs in the hybrid energy system, including the evaluation of optimal electric grid management and safety by design.

Research proposals should also address some LW-SMR safety specificities such as:

• core/fuel (including fuel qualification);
• nuclear ste