Small Modular Reactors
SMRs are a newcomer to the nuclear family. The idea is that in the future there will be more 'small nuclear power plants'.
What distinguishes SMRs from today's large nuclear power plants is that they will be able to deliver the same stable and fossil-free electricity as today, but more flexibly and without taking up as much space. The safety system in an SMR is also different, where a so-called passive safety system means that if something should happen, the reactor cools itself down, without being dependent on any external electricity supply.
The idea is that the various parts of an SMR are manufactured in a factory and transported to the site. The parts are then assembled on site, kit-style. Because they can be mass-produced, both the cost and the time required to build an SMR are lower and shorter than for a large-scale nuclear power plant. By interconnecting several SMRs in places where more electricity is needed, the output can be better adapted to specific needs, providing more flexibility, stability and predictability in electricity supply.
An SMR does not need to be refueled as often as a conventional nuclear power plant. Some models of SMR are even delivered ready with all the fuel it will need during its lifetime. The entire fuel assembly is then moved to the repository. This reduces costs while increasing operational safety.