SMRs – overview, international developments, safety features and the GRS simulation chain

Abstract

The Gesellschaft für Anlagen- und Reaktorsicherheit (GRS) gGmbH as the main technical support organization for the German Federal Government in nuclear safety has been dealing with small modular reactors (SMRs) for about one decade since SMRs are one interesting option for new builds in most countries worldwide which continue to use nuclear energy for commercial electricity production. Currently four different SMR designs are in operation, four in construction, one is licensed, and further 12 are in a licensing process. In this paper, definitions, history, and current developments of SMRs are presented. Subsequently, selected trends of SMR development such as factory fabrication and transport, compactness and modularity, core design, improved core cooling, exclusion of accidents, features for preventing and limiting the impact of severe accidents, economic viability, competitiveness and licensing are discussed. Modeling gaps of the GRS simulation chain programs with a view to applications in nuclear licensing procedures are identified and a strategy for closing these gaps is presented. Finally, selected work on the extension and improvement of the simulation chain and first generic test analyses are presented.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

small modular reactors (SMRs) / history / recent developments / safety aspects / simulation chain of the Gesellschaft für Anlagen- und Reaktorsicherheit (GRS)

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Acknowledgment

This paper is largely based on the works and results of the following research projects RS1521, RS1561, RS1574, RS1576, RS1577, RS1578, RS1579 and RS1589 which are funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) on the basis of decisions of the German Bundestag.

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