Office of Nuclear Energy
The BIG Potential for Nuclear Micro-Reactors
May 15, 2019
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The U.S. nuclear energy sector is going through one of the most innovative and transformative times in our history.
We are literally witnessing the advent of an entirely new class of advanced reactors that will soon come in a wide variety of sizes and applications.
More than 50 U.S. companies are working on designs that are smaller, scalable, versatile and even mobile—providing far greater access to nuclear power than ever before.
Micro-reactors will likely be the first advanced reactors that we see enter the U.S. market.
American developers are currently working on gas and heat pipe-cooled designs that could debut by the mid-2020s, which will be absolute game-changers for the industry.
We are literally witnessing the advent of an entirely new class of advanced reactors that will soon come in a wide variety of sizes and applications.
More than 50 U.S. companies are working on designs that are smaller, scalable, versatile and even mobile—providing far greater access to nuclear power than ever before.
Micro-reactors will likely be the first advanced reactors that we see enter the U.S. market.
American developers are currently working on gas and heat pipe-cooled designs that could debut by the mid-2020s, which will be absolute game-changers for the industry.
Analysis: THE BIG potential of nuclear micro-reactors
U.S. Department of Energy's Ed McGinnis discusses the potential impact of nuclear micro-reactors.
Small and Versatile
Micro-reactors are simply smaller, factory-built systems that can be easily transported by trucks, ships, airplanes or railcars.Some micro-reactors can be set up in days, not years, to provide reliable heat and power to a host of places, ranging from residential and remote areas to military bases.
Micro-reactors may be small but they pack a real punch in terms of power.
A single unit typically generates 1 to 10 megawatts-electric.
To put this in perspective, a single megawatt of electricity can power approximately 1,000 homes. That means these systems could provide up to 10,0000 homes with clean power—24 hours a day, 7 days a week—for 10 years without stopping! That is remarkable.
They can also be used for other applications such as community heating or to provide clean drinking water.
To put it simply, micro-reactors can operate in places large reactors can’t. They provide choice to customers that need a constant and reliable source of clean power without the costs of a large construction project.
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