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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:

1. Implementation of an First OfA Kind (FOAK) SMR is possible without facilitative action by Government
2. Pre-FID investor confidence is of critical importance for achieving the 2030 timeline
3. For an effective programme to achieve FOAK SMR deployment, significant Governmentcommitment and facilitative action is required from the outset
4. It is insufficient for the first 5 years of the deployment schedule to focus on just GDAand RegulatoryJustification
5. A strong and early marriage is required between developer / operator and vendor
6. 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
7. The scale of the recruitment challenge to establish a Nuclear Baseline should not be underestimated, with staged planning essential
8. Regulators will need tobe able to resource-up without adverse influence on current UK nuclear safety activity
9. A co-ordinated public communications plan is required, led by the prospective Licensee, supported by the vendor and facilitated by Government
10. Bounding assumptions were judged to be sound in the context of a deployment schedule leading to a UK FOAK SMR operating by 2030
11. 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 Mike Middleton presented “SMRs in the context of waste and spent fuel management” at the SPRU Nuclear Waste Seminar on 27th and 28th March 2017. The presentation covers

• The Energy Technologies Institute - what do we do?
• Scenario modelling around an affordable energy system transition
• Nuclear in a UK low carbon 2050 energy system
• Importance of investor confidence in nuclear power projects
• Potential schedule for deployment of a UK LWR SMR
• Potential implications regarding waste and spent fuel from moving to an advanced reactor technology
• Conclusions

ETI’s Strategy Manager Mike Middleton presents “Status of SMRs in the UK” at the IMechE - “Delivering Onsite Nuclear Projects” conference - 27th September 2017. The presentation covers

• Introduction to the ETI
• What is a Small Modular Reactor (SMR)?
• Benefits of deploying SMRs in the UK transition to a low carbon economy
• Understanding the steps towards potential deployment
• Update on Phase 1 of the UK SMR competition
• Conclusions

Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs) are defined as nuclear power reactors with a maximum electrical output below 300MWe. They are generally considered to have distinct characteristics that make them different from conventional large reactors (LRs), such as modular design with pre-fabrication in offsite factories and the potential to deploy multiple reactors at the same site to form larger power plants. Many SMRs are also being designed as ‘integral’ units, where all key primary system components are integrated within a single pressure vessel and surrounded by a containment structure. A number of countries and companies are at different stages in the design and development of SMR technology.

If the technology is successfully developed, proponents claim that SMRs have the potential to offer a number of benefits to the UK’s future energy system. These benefits include the reliable provision of lowcarbon electricity and heat, flexible deployment and the opening up of additional sites closer to demand. There could also be economic benefits to countries that establish themselves at the forefront of technology development and export. But despite this potential, there are currently significant uncertainties relating to the future costs and performance of SMR technologies and the suitability of different designs for the UK.

The purpose of the ANT project was to frame the UK energy system requirements for a small generic nuclear power plant with an output of up to 300MWe. In practical terms this meant defining the technical and economic parameters for an SMR to be of value to the UK’s energy system in the future. The ETI appointed Mott MacDonald to undertake this work with Rolls Royce as subcontractor to Mott MacDonald.

The project was primarily aimed at understanding what SMRs will ultimately need to ‘achieve’ in order to be deployed in the UK. Whether or not the UK has a role in technology development is not directly relevant in this context, although some aspects of technology development were considered during the project.

The purpose of the System Requirements for Alternative Nuclear Technologies (ANT) project was to capture the high level technical performance characteristics and business-case parameters of small thermal plants, which will be of value to the potential future of the UK’s energy system. The project included small nuclear reactors, enabling comparison with other small-scale plants, such as those powered by bio-mass. The project outputs will help enable the subsequent contrast of a range of specific technologies.

This presentation describing what Small Modular Reactors need to do both functionally and economically, to be of value to the UK’s future energy system.

• Role: If SMRs do what proponents claim, SMRs could play a significant role in the UK’s future energy system
• Requirements: SMRs will need to achieve a number of functional and economic energy systems requirements e.g. costs
• Heat: Heatprovision to District Heating networks could be a major benefit to the UK energy system and SMR plant economics
• Role of Government: Deployinga fleet of UK SMRs is likely to require Government co-ordination and intervention
• Backup slides
  • What energy services could SMRs offer?
  • Target vs estimate: Extra-flex
  • IRRs based on estimated CAPEX
  • Technical development assessment framework
  • Non-kWh services

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
• Conclusions

ETI’s Strategy Manager Mike Middleton presents “The role of nuclear including SMRs in the UK transition to a low carbon economy” at 4th World Nuclear New Build Congress 2017 - 12th September 2017. The presentation covers

• Introduction to the ETI
• A UK emissions reduction plan and the challenge of decarbonising heat
• Recent projects undertaken by the ETI related to UK nuclear deployment
• The role for nuclear including SMRs in the UK transition to a low carbon economy
• Enabling activities to support UK SMR deployment
• Requirements for advanced nuclear technologies
• Conclusions