Small yet efficient...SMRs are here!
- Nilormi Das
In today’s world, we are caught in a relentless battle against three major crises: energy, space, and finance. Rapid urbanization is leading to a severe shortage of space for development, while the rising energy demand calls for innovative and efficient solutions. To address these challenges holistically, we must embrace technologies that are compact, cost-effective, and sustainable. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) stand out as one of the most promising options.
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As a popular Hindi saying goes, "Chhota Packet, Bada Dhamaka"—small but impactful. SMRs embody this philosophy. These next-generation nuclear reactors offer a smaller footprint, enhanced safety features, and greater flexibility compared to traditional nuclear power plants, making them a compelling choice for the clean energy transition.
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🔎 **Want to dive deeper into SMRs? ** Explore nUeBe’s archive here.
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In October 2024, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) organised the first-ever International Conference on Small Modular Reactors and Their Applications at its headquarters in Vienna, Austria. This landmark event aimed to harmonize international regulatory frameworks for SMRs, bringing together over 1,000 participants from nearly 100 countries. The Nuclear Power Technology Development Section (NPTDS), Department of Nuclear Energy, IAEA played a key role in organizing this global gathering.
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In his opening remarks, Rafael Mariano Grossi (Director General, IAEA) highlighted SMRs as one of the most promising, exciting, and necessary technological advancements of this era. A major highlight of the conference was the launch of the IAEA’s latest publication, Small Modular Reactors: Advances in SMR Developments 2024 [1], a comprehensive report showcasing 68 active SMR designs from the Advanced Reactor Information System (ARIS) database.
Fig 1: Key highlights of the International Conference on Small Modular Reactors and their Applications
I had the privilege of participating in this prestigious conference, where I presented my contributions representing the initiatives of International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO) Section towards successful and sustainable development of SMRs. My contributions include the following:
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Implementation of 3S by INPRO, C. Scherer, N. Das (Track: Safety, Security and Safeguards Interfaces in SMR designs: Setting up the Scene)
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Initiatives in INPRO for SMRs, N. Das, S. Jeon, G. Sayin, C. Scherer (Track: Public and Stakeholder Engagements in SMR Development and Deployment) ​​​
Fig 2: Presenting my work at the SMR conference.
Presenting my work at this conference was a rewarding experience, reinforcing the importance of global collaboration in shaping the future of nuclear energy.
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One of the unique events was the Industry Night which was co-organised by The IAEA alongwith the World Nuclear Association (WNA). This event provided a platform for the SMR developers to showcase their projects across various development stages starting from conceptual designs to operational phases.
Fig 3: Industry night in a nutshell
“Being part of the organizing team of the IAEA SMR2024 Conference was very rewarding! Feedback received was very positive and people were already asking when the next edition is to be organized. I had the pleasure and honour to moderate the dedicated session to IAEA SMR platform. IAEA is working on the Conference Proceedings, and currently, the Conference papers are accessible through the IAEA Conference App at https://iaea.event.do/#/e/6461/f/47849 ” ~ says Alina Constantin (Project Officer, IAEA)
To highlight the pivotal role of women in the nuclear industry, Women in Nuclear (WiN) IAEA and the U.S. Department of Energy jointly hosted a special side event titled “SMRs: Women as Game Changers” [2]. The panel discussions underscored the need to bridge the gender gap in nuclear science and highlighted the contributions of women in advancing clean energy solutions and reshaping the perceptions of nuclear power worldwide Additionally, The preliminary report of the “Analysis of the Gender Gap in Nuclear Support” [3] showcased that women tend to be more supportive of nuclear energy when they are well-informed about its benefits and safety, underlying the need for targeted education and outreach.
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Fig 4: Poster of the side event
Fig 5: Preliminary Report of the “Analysis of the Gender Gap In Nuclear Support”
The conference concluded by reaffirming the importance of international collaboration, regulatory harmonization, and technological innovation in advancing SMR deployment. The IAEA remains committed to supporting its Member States in ensuring the safe, secure, and sustainable implementation of SMRs which is an essential step toward global energy security and a clean energy future.
References
[1] https://www.iaea.org/publications/15790/small-modular-reactors-advances-in-smr-developments-2024
[2] https://win-iaea.org/2024/10/30/women-as-game-changers-in-smrs-key-takeaways-from-iaea-conference/
[3] file:///C:/Users/HP/Downloads/Analysis%20of%20the%20Gender%20Gap%20in%20Nuclear%20Support_Preliminary%20Report_18%20pages.pdf
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