Small modular reactors’ roles in electricity generation within a green economy

Nuclear technology is one of the key baseload generation sources available worldwide today. Despite its small carbon footprint, nuclear power’s share of electricity production has decreased steadily since 2011. However, this trend is expected to reverse during the coming decades due to the introduction of new nuclear technology for electricity generation (Generation IV), and the construction of nuclear power reactors of small size and modular design known as “Small modular reactors”, or SMRs. SMRs are nuclear fission power units designed for factory fabrication and transportable installation. The electrical output per module ranges from approximately 5 MWe to 300 MWe. Main components of the SMRs are prefabricated under controlled conditions and shipped to the site for assembly, thereby reducing on-site construction time and capital investment, increasing safety, and simplifying the system.