Small and Medium Nuclear Reactors: Is Our Future Downsizing?

This weekend I attended the 2011 MIT Energy Conference titled "Confronting Limits with Fact-Based Analysis." The following is intended to highlight fact based analysis from the panel on Small Nuclear Reactors. The panel participants included:

Michael Lineberry - Moderator - Director Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Idaho State University. Previous experience included 33 years at Argonne National Laboratory working in fast reactor physics and the nuclear fuel cycle, and development of the Integral Fast Reactor or IFR.  At ISU he teaches and persues his research interest in the nuclear fuel cycle adapted to fast reactors, especially the "pyroprocess" and safeguards technology. He was a member of the recent MIT NERI-C  project headed by MIT professors (now NRC Commissioner) George Apostolakis and Professor Michael Golay .

David Wade, Vice President of Reactor Design and Analysis, Advanced Reactor Concepts, a start-up
company seeking to commercialize the ARC-100 reactor, a 100 MWe sodium-cooled fast reactor of 20 year refueling interval. Experience included being a colleague with Michael Lineberry for 30 years at Argonne National Labs in the field of reactor physics fast reactor core design and fuel cycles While there, he helped develop Argonne's portfolio of the small lead-cooled Secure Transportable Autonomous Reactors (STAR).

Jose Reyes, Chief Technology Officer, NuScale Power Inc.
Dr Reyes is the Chief Technical Officer and Co-Founder of NuScale Power Inc,, a new energy company seeking to commercialize a modular scalable nuclear reactor. With 33 years of experience, he is internationally recognized for his expertise in nuclear reactor safety and thermal hydaulics. He is the co-designer of a small passively safe, nuclear reactor suitable for electric power generation, water desalinization and regional heating. He was the OSU Manager for the Westinghouse AP600 and AP1000 integral system design certification test programs, both certified by NRC. In 2004, he established and directed a 13 nation Coordinated Research Program examining Natural Circulation and the Passive Safety System Reliability at the IAEA. He also previously served 10 years with the NRC.

Phillip O. Moor, Vice President, High-Bridge Associates
Mr. Moor is a nationally recognized expert in SMR technology, licensing, and business structuring. He has over 30 years experience in the power industry, including development, design, engineering, construction, operation, and decommissioning of a variety of nuclear facilities. He has been active in industry activity in preparation for new build nuclear facilities and is very familiar with essentially all SMRs and other advanced reactor technologies. As a member of the consulting team at High Bridge Associates, he is active in project management and planning all aspects of large and small new reactor projects worldwide. He currently chairs the ANS President's Special Committee on SMR Licensing Issues, has been quoted on SMR matters in several publications and has testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee regarding SMR issues.

Andrea Sterdis, Senior Manager, Strategic Nuclear Expansion at TVA for the TVA Nuclear
Generation Development and Construction organization. She is responsible for managing activities associated with TVA's strategic nuclear projects and is the Project Director for the mPower SMR Industry Consortium. She has also directed the TVA Bellefonte Nuclear Plant efforts to transition the Units 1 and 2 construction permits to deferred status. She has over 29 years of experience in the nuclear industry with bacground in engineering, environmental assessments, licensing and regulatory affairs. Prior to joining TVA, she held the position of AP1000 Licensing Manager for Westinghouse.