Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMR). Good or Bad?

It's the answer to a lot of questions, which typically means it'll be demonized by those who stand to profit off of never solving the problem.

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Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMR). Good or Bad?

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Good.

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But is it safe?

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I asked ChatGPT to address this question:

Inherent and Passive Safety Features
1.Passive Cooling Systems: SMRs often use natural forces, such as gravity, convection, and natural circulation, to manage heat and cooling without the need for active pumps or external power. This reduces the risk of overheating in the event of a power outage.
Smaller Core Size: The smaller size of the reactor core limits the amount of radioactive material, reducing the risk of a large-scale release in the event of an accident.
Lower Power Density: SMRs operate at a lower power density, which reduces the heat generated within the reactor. This allows the system to cool more effectively and reduces the potential for thermal stress and damage.

2. Modular Construction and Deployment
Underground or Submersible Reactor Modules: Many SMRs are designed to be installed underground or underwater, providing additional physical protection from external threats such as natural disasters, sabotage, or terrorist attacks.
Factory Construction: SMRs are built in controlled factory environments and transported to their site. This allows for rigorous quality control during construction, reducing the likelihood of human error or defects in the design.

3. Advanced Containment Systems
Containment Vessel: SMRs are designed with advanced containment structures that can withstand extreme conditions, such as earthquakes, floods, or explosions. The containment vessel ensures that radioactive materials remain confined even in the event of an accident.
Reactor Isolation: In the case of a serious malfunction, SMRs have automatic systems that can isolate the reactor from the rest of the plant, preventing the spread of any radioactive material.

4. Redundancy and Diversification of Safety Systems
Multiple Redundant Safety Systems: SMRs incorporate redundant safety systems so that if one system fails, backup systems can take over. These backups are often diverse, meaning they use different mechanisms to achieve the same goal (e.g., multiple cooling systems with different power sources).
Autonomous Shutdown Capabilities: Many SMR designs are equipped with systems that can automatically shut down the reactor safely without human intervention if abnormal conditions are detected (e.g., excessive heat or pressure).

5. Emergency Planning Zone Reduction
Smaller Emergency Zones: Due to the smaller size and lower power output of SMRs, the potential radiological release in the event of an accident is significantly lower than that of traditional nuclear plants. This allows for smaller emergency planning zones, typically limited to the plant site itself, which simplifies emergency preparedness and response measures.

6. Resilience Against External Events
Earthquake and Flood Resilience: Many SMRs are designed to withstand earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters. Being installed underground or in more protected locations also provides an extra layer of defense against such external events.
Resilience to Terrorist Threats: Due to their smaller size, modularity, and the potential for underground installation, SMRs are less vulnerable to terrorist attacks compared to traditional nuclear reactors.

7. Fuel Design and Accident Tolerance
Advanced Fuel: SMRs may use advanced fuel designs, such as high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) or ceramic-based fuels, which have higher temperature tolerance and are less likely to degrade under accident conditions.
Longer Refueling Intervals: SMRs are designed to operate for extended periods (up to 10 years or more) without refueling, which reduces the frequency of handling nuclear fuel and lowers the risk associated with fuel transport and reloading operations.

8. Regulatory Oversight
Licensing by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC): In the U.S., the NRC oversees the design, construction, and operation of SMRs to ensure they meet strict safety standards. This includes reviewing the passive and inherent safety features, conducting risk assessments, and ensuring compliance with all safety regulations.
International Safety Standards: International agencies like the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) set global safety standards and share best practices for the safe development and operation of SMRs.

9. Fail-Safe and Human Error Mitigation
Human Error Reduction: The automation of many safety systems and the inherent simplicity of SMRs reduces the reliance on human intervention, lowering the likelihood of accidents caused by operator error.
Fail-Safe Design: Many SMRs are designed with "walk-away safety," meaning that even in the absence of human intervention, the plant can safely shut itself down and cool the reactor core.

10. Spent Fuel and Waste Management
Integrated Fuel Storage: Some SMR designs incorporate spent fuel storage within the reactor module itself, reducing the need for separate, large-scale spent fuel storage facilities. This limits the movement and handling of radioactive waste.
Reduced Waste: Many SMRs are designed to be more efficient in their use of nuclear fuel, generating less waste compared to traditional reactors.

They're good.

I want one.

They're already using them to power underground celebrity and billionaire fall out shelters all over the country .... but mostly in Idaho, Montana and the Dakotas.

It's coming no matter what you think about it.


The biggest dogs like Google, Microsoft and Amazon have decided they want it.


They have the money to buy the politicians needed to dismantle the regulatory hurtles and the media muscle to convince the public that it's the best idea ever.

Doc Brown had Mr. fusion. Was safe and ran off banana peals

Potentially awesome. The entire grid should be nuclear

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I believe they are a great source. The safety issue I am referring to is more so terror attacks.

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IDK if these have the same tech, but new reactors have failsafes in them that trigger even if you intentionally try to cause a meltdown. The Chinese intentionally tried to reproduce the conditions that led to Chernobyl with one of their new reactors and it just wouldn't let them do it at all, and my understanding is that it isn't something you can disable, its part of the actual reactor. I guess you could blow one up or something.

From memory, they don’t have the enriched uranium concern so that aspect shouldn’t be an issue.

Most will not be commercially available until 2028 and beyond. Radiant, eVinci, Nupower and Kairos are building prototypes.

I think it should be one of our biggest investments. Every major city needs its own reactor.