In March 2015 the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) published “Options Choices Action” featuring two contrasting scenarios - “Patchwork” and “Clockwork” - for a UK low carbon energy system transition to 20501. New nuclear power stations featured as a prominent component of both scenarios. In this context the ETI has commissioned new analysis of how large and Small Modular Reactor (SMR) nuclear technologies can contribute to decarbonising the UK energy system. For this purpose, SMRs are defined as modular for the purpose of incremental addition to power station capacity, and with an electrical generation capacity in units of 300 MWe or less. The emergence of multiple developing SMR designs opens up the potential to deploy a wider range of nuclear technologies within an integrated energy system.This document summarises the insights from three ETI activities undertaken in 2014 and 2015:
Power Plant Siting Study (PPSS) -delivered for the ETI by Atkins
System Requirements For Alternative Nuclear Technologies (ANT) - deliveredfor the ETI by Mott MacDonald with technical support from Rolls-Royce
In-house ETI energy system modelling and analysis incorporating the learning from the PPSS and ANT projects
This analysis has created new understanding of the potentially different contributions from large baseload reactors and SMRs in the UK energy system. These two nuclear technologies can offer potentially complementary roles in baseload and flexible CHP generation, and also in terms of the location of development sites. Generation IV nuclear technologies are not considered in detail in any of the projects above, but are recognised as a new type of reactor technology potentially available for deployment from 2040 onwards. The PPSS recognises the need to allocate site capacity for such reactors; without suitable sites such future designs could not be built.
Infogrpahic examining the role of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and what is needed for them to become an integral part of the UK low carbon energy system by 2050
The aim of the Power Plant Siting Study project is to explore the different opportunities and constraints involved in developing sites in England and Wales for new low carbon power plants. The study will considers new nuclear as well as fossil fueled power stations using carbon capture and storage technologies. The study is important to understand the different features which could either make a potential site suitable or, alternatively, prevent its viability. This study is intended to inform whether there is likely to be competition for development sites between low carbon technologies, which could be a future constraint in the low carbon replacement of the UK’s ageing power plants. It will help inform the ETI’s technology strategy development work, which is looking at how to accelerate the development of new energy technologies for a UK transition to a low carbon economy.
The project explored siting criteria and siting constraints against the nuclear expansion scenarios. It also identified and considered opportunities to enable the inclusion of additional sites should the expansion scenarios be constrained. There were seven objectives of the project which were addressed through the baseline assessment of a long list of sites (which considered their suitability for twin 1,650 MWe units with direct cooling), a set of six sensitivity analyses and two other studies. This deliverable provides a summary of the key project findings
The aim of the Power Plant Siting Study project was to explore the different opportunities and constraints involved in developing sites in England and Wales for new low carbon power plants. The study considers new nuclear as well as fossil fueled power stations using carbon capture and storage technologies. The study is important to understand the different features which could either make a potential site suitable or, alternatively, prevent its viability. This study is intended to inform whether there is likely to be competition for development sites between low carbon technologies, which could be a future constraint in the low carbon replacement of the UK’s ageing power plants. It will help inform the ETI’stechnology strategy development work, which is looking at how to accelerate the development of new energy technologies for a UK transition to a low carbon economy.
The project conclusions are presented here as slides, covering:
The aim of the Power Plant Siting Study project is to explore the different opportunities and constraints involved in developing sites in England and Wales for new low carbon power plants. The study will considers new nuclear as well as fossil fueled power stations using carbon capture and storage technologies. The study is important to understand the different features which could either make a potential site suitable or, alternatively, prevent its viability. This study is intended to inform whether there is likely to be competition for development sites between low carbon technologies, which could be a future constraint in the low carbon replacement of the UK’s ageing power plants. It will help inform the ETI’s technology strategy development work, which is looking at how to accelerate the development of new energy technologies for a UK transition to a low carbon economy.
The objectives of the Project are to:
indicate the capacity of nuclear power likely to be generated from anticipated Gen III+ nuclear plant designs developed at existing nuclear sites, anticipated thermal power station brownfield sites, and new greenfield sites;
indicate the number of sites likely to be suitable for CCS and identify where there is likely to be a conflict of sites suitable for both technologies (CCS and nuclear);
identify the individual siting constraints which have greatest impact on the three nuclear expansion scenarios identified;
through a range of sensitivity studies, identify potential changes in site selection criteria which would be necessary to deliver sufficient sites for the nuclear expansion scenarios;
make recommendations for the siting characteristics of alternative technologies to make good the shortfall from Gen III+ nuclear; these are expected to include a reduced requirement for cooling water;
identify other issues, constraints or assumptions which may change over the next 35 years to make more sites available for Gen III+ nuclear capacity; and
identify preferred locations for nuclear power technology demonstrator sites.
ETI’s Strategy Manager Mike Middleton presented “Preparing For The Deployment Of A UK SMR By 2030” at the Small Modular Reactors Summit.on 19th October 2016. This slide set covers:
Introduction to ETI and ESME, ETI’s modelling tool
Conclusions from published ETI insights – role for nuclear in a low carbon energy system
Further ETI Projects Relevant To UK SMRs
Key Elements Of A UK SMR Development Programme
Developer And Vendor – Typical Relationship From UK GW Reactor New Build Projects
Approach To The ETI’s SMR Deployment Enablers Project
Work Breakdown Structure In SDE Analysis
The Critical Path Of A 2030 Schedule
Integrated Schedule Leading To FOAK Operations By 2030
Enabling Activities In The First 5 Years
Services Required From A UK SMR
SMRs For CHP – Analysis Of Impact Of Module Size and Thermal Efficiency
CHP – Comparison With Earlier Work and Impact On Internal Rate of Return
Exploiting The Economies Of Multiples –UK GDA and Coping With Variants
Comparison Of Potential Early SMR Sites Using Ranking Factors
Conclusions - Preparing for deployment of a UK SMR by 2030
Backup Slides
Priorities for the UK energy system
Market led Schedule – First Operations 2040?
Licensing Preparations From Around 2021
Work Breakdown Structure In Detail
Economic Impact Of Air Cooling Condensers –Electricity Only and CHP
The purpose of this SMR Deployment Enablers Project is to determine in support of potential SMR deployment in the UK:
the activities comprising the first five years of a development programme for the UK deployment of a Small Modular Reactor
a timeline with milestones to accompany this programme definition
the necessary capability of the SMR utility/developer organisation during this phase of a UK SMR development programme
This is the Summary Report, Deliverable 8, and supersedes previous interim Deliverables, or Deliverable Packs,. The reports explain the logic and necessity for the enabling activities during the first 5 years of such a programme.
This report summarises the wider study commissioned by the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) to understand the opportunities for the deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMR) as part of the transitiontowards a UK low carbon energy system. This wider study has considered key factors such as siting criteria and the potential locations for early SMR deployment in the UK; and the development characteristics, timescales, operational performance and cost envelope for SMRs to be an attractive technology. Building on the findings from this earlier work, the SMR Deployment Enablers (SDE) Project identifies the enabling activities that would be necessary in the first five years of a programme to support potential operations of a first UK SMR by 2030.
The following conclusions are reached:
Implementation of an First OfA Kind (FOAK) SMR is possible without facilitative action by Government
Pre-FID investor confidence is of critical importance for achieving the 2030 timeline
For an effective programme to achieve FOAK SMR deployment, significant Governmentcommitment and facilitative action is required from the outset
It is insufficient for the first 5 years of the deployment schedule to focus on just GDAand RegulatoryJustification
A strong and early marriage is required between developer / operator and vendor
The notion of a developer / operator / vendor ‘boot camp’ is proposed as a near-term risk mitigation activity
li>Deployment of a FOAK SMR in the UK is achievable by 2030underthe bounding scenario considered by this study
The scale of the recruitment challenge to establish a Nuclear Baseline should not be underestimated, with staged planning essential
Regulators will need tobe able to resource-up without adverse influence on current UK nuclear safety activity
A co-ordinated public communications plan is required, led by the prospective Licensee, supported by the vendor and facilitated by Government
Bounding assumptions were judged to be sound in the context of a deployment schedule leading to a UK FOAK SMR operating by 2030
The evidence gathered forms the basis of a toolkit which could be used to test or assess the feasibility of specific scenarios for SMR Deployment in the UK
The schedule for UK FOAK deployment operations would depend upon the associated assumptions. Such options may include:
A risk-averse deployment plan which focusses on completion of GDA and Regulatory Justification to establish a credible design before commencing work on site specific aspects and developing a credible nuclear operator. This may suggest a schedule with risk of delay to FOAK first operation beyond 2030.
A deployment plan for a less technology/design ready SMR. GDA would not commence until later in the schedule with possible plans to complete manufacturing and construction in a shorter timeframe.This may suggest a schedule with risk of delay to FOAK first operation beyond 2030.
Assessment of developer / operators with different characteristics and different working arrangements and modes of engagement with the vendor. For example,a developer with a mature and capable licensee organisation which may suggest an opportunity for an accelerated deployment schedule.
FOAK deployment at a site identified as potentially suitable for nuclear development in the Nuclear NPS.This may again suggest an opportunity for an accelerated deployment schedule
ETI’s Strategy and Programme Manager for Nuclear, Mike Middleton presents “The role of nuclear in the transition to a UK low carbon economy” at a talk for the Imperial College Energy Society on 24th January 2018
Introduction to the ETI
Developing the role for nuclear in a UK transition
What could be the role for SMRs in the UK energy system
A credible plan for deployment of a UK SMR by 2030
Cost competitiveness of nuclear as a low carbon technology
Written evidence submitted by the ETI to the House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee Inquiry on Priorities for Nuclear Research and Technologies. The ETI’s response concentrates on its recent projects and whole energy system analysis to better understand how SMRs can potentially contribute in the transition to a 2050 low carbon economy.
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