Les Small Modular Reactors (SMR)

Small modular reactors (SMRs) are nuclear reactors of less than 300 megawatts (MWe). The modules are built in a factory and then shipped to the site for assembly. Reactors can be built in isolated units or in modules that are assembled to form a multimodular power plant with a higher output in megawatts. Although SMRs have not yet won the electricity production battle, several projects are under development, notably in Russia and in the United States, where there is what we might call an infatuation with them. The maturest SMRs are pressurized water reactors that could be deployed in the early 2020s. SMR supporters emphasize the savings, the "passive" safety and the flexibility with respect to: investments, adaptation to the demand for electricity and management of electricity grids. When these different points are analyzed, SMRs, in particular, the deployment of multi-modular power stations, turn out to be worthy of attention. [PUB ABSTRACT]