U.S. boosts small nuclear reactors 

When you think of clean energy, solar panels or wind turbines may jump to mind. But did you know that civil nuclear energy also reduces carbon emissions and air pollution?

Today, nuclear energy meets about 20% of the electricity needs in the United States and provides nearly half of its carbon-free power.

It already accounts for 10% of global electricity, according to John Podesta, senior advisor to President Biden for international climate policy. “It’s clear the world is starting to recognize this important source of clean power,” he said.

Because geopolitical events can interrupt energy supplies, the U.S. and many other countries include nuclear energy in their energy-security plans.

“Nuclear energy provides clean, firm and reliable power to the electric grid and heat for industrial processes,” Podesta said.

U.S. companies, which make the most advanced and safest nuclear energy technologies on the market, are doing their part by helping international partners to build small modular reactors, or SMRs.

These SMRs more efficiently utilize nuclear fuel and have advanced safety features that rely on passive systems — natural circulation, convection, gravity and self-pressurization —which lowers the likelihood of an accident.

In short, SMRs are safer and more efficient than earlier reactors.

 

In the United States, startup companies like Terrapower working in Wyoming, Kairos Power in Tennessee, and X-energy in Texas are developing SMRs to realize advanced nuclear energy’s role in the transition to clean energy, says Katy Huff, a nuclear engineering professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a former U.S. Department of Energy official.

Nu-Scale Power in Oregon will provide nuclear technology to Romania for an SMR project supported by the G7’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment.

President Biden said about the project, “When built, the SMR will pave the way for new innovative energy technologies, accelerate the clean energy transition, create thousands of jobs, and strengthen European energy security while upholding the highest standards for nuclear safety.” (In addition to the U.S., PGI partners from Japan, the Republic of Korea and the United Arab Emirates announced support of up to $275 million for the facility.)

The United States maintains legally binding frameworks with 49 countries governing cooperation and peaceful use of nuclear energy. The United States most recently inked agreements with the Philippines (November 2023) and Singapore (July 2024) to allow them access to U.S.-made nuclear energy technology for peaceful purposes, such as SMRs for power generation.

 

 

SMRs’ role

Nuclear energy “is absolutely pivotal to avoiding the worst impacts of the climate crisis,” says the University of Illinois’  Huff. Foregoing its development would miss “half of the current solution.” (See graph.)

SMRs can be used to power heavy manufacturing and other energy-intensive industrial processes without generating harmful carbon dioxide emissions.

When operational, the Bill Gates-funded startup Terrapower will power 400,000 homes, thus serving roughly 68% of Wyoming’s population.

In Texas, X-energy is building an SMR facility that will power a Dow manufacturing plant and reduce carbon emissions significantly.

SMRs also reduce carbon dioxide emissions in ways beyond just generating electricity. They can produce clean hydrogen and other fuels for transportation, provide heat for industrial processes (like making concrete and steel) and even desalinate water in water-stressed regions.

Their promise of lower costs and added flexibility comes in part because they are factory manufactured and can be adapted to meet a country’s power grid and integrated with its other energy sources.

Future Growth

The United States supports the increased use of advanced nuclear technologies to power global decarbonization efforts and provide energy security to its partners.

One facet of that support is the Department of State’s FIRST program, which helps countries that have not previously used nuclear energy to build and operate SMRs under the highest international standards of safety, security and nonproliferation.

In addition, the FIRST program offers technical advisory services, trains workers via SMR control-room simulators, and funds feasibility studies and siting studies for eligible partner countries.