#Small Modular Nuclear Reactors

[townpostin]

Tata Power to Invest ₹20,000 Crore Capex in FY25

Focus on Renewable Energy, Small Modular Nuclear Reactors, and Discom Expansion Tata Power, one of India’s leading integrated power companies, announced a capex investment of ₹20,000 crore for FY25 at its 105th Annual General Meeting (AGM). MUMBAI – Tata Power, one of India’s leading integrated power companies, held its 105th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of shareholders for the Financial Year…

[agreenroad]

Build renewables, not nuclear’: energy execs reject reactors

Build renewables, not nuclear’: energy execs reject reactors

[jellysshitpoems]

What’s your opinion on small nuclear reactors/SMRs? I’ve heard a lot about them recently (including some advertisements actually) but I’m not sure how applicable they would be outside of their current uses, like powering naval ships/icebreakers and research stations. I’ve read that they could be used to power off-grid native communities; is that something that gets discussed a lot in Canada?

As always, I hope you’re doing alright!

You just managed to touch on two things rarely talked about in Canada, Indigenous communities that are in need of help, and SMRs 😅

Small modular reactors aren’t something Im particularly well versed in, I wasn’t even aware they were used on/considering using them on large ships, but it makes sense! I heard that they could be used to power things like natural disaster clean up, due to their portability and what not, but using them to power remote communities (Indigenous or not) Is a great idea!

Unfortunately though, Canada doesn’t exactly have the greatest history with helping said communities. In fact theres a lot (and I mean a fucking LOT, over 600) of reserves that don’t have access to even just clean drinking water. Hell I did a whole project on a community that has had mercury poisoning for decades! And their levels are still so high it can affect fetal development! So I doubt any reservations or towns are getting billion dollar SMRs- Thanks Canadian government!!!

I feel like I always find a way to derail these asks. Oops.

Anywaysss, from what Ive heard SMRs are super cool, I just dont know a lot! My brain has bigger fish to fry when it comes to my hyper fixation if that makes sense lmao, I like big reactors and huge facilities. Organization and protocols and precautions kick my adhd into gear, yayy systems 😁😁

[irradiate-space]

Shower thoughts on power generation

Starting assumptions:

The current generation of Small Modular Reactors has never been small enough to containerize, but there are small thermoelectric containerizable power plants without proliferation concerns: see the Mars rovers

Gigascale nuclear is still cheaper per MWh than SMR

But solar and wind are cheaper than gigascale nuclear

But solar and wind aren't 100% availability

Batteries are somewhat expensive

Flywheels are already containerized (see Kodiak, Alaska)

Terraform Industries would be stupid if their plants weren't containerized, and they don't seem stupid. Their rollout starts in 2024.

Carbon-neutral and carbon-negative don't mean "no carbon-based fuels"; just "no fossil fuels".

How do I see the near future playing out, say by 2050?

Containerized nuclear thermoelectric batteries are used for low-load low-sunlight high-impact postings, as a form of set-and-forget critical infrastructure. This is the most-wishful item on my list.

Maybe there's some geothermal in the mix, but it remains high cost to site and construct relative to other forms of power, and has limited geographic availability.

Gigascale nuclear gets built when your consumption density is higher than available solar/wind generation density, so long as it remains infeasible to build new long-distance power transmission lines.

Solar/wind fields power containerized electricity-to-CH4 plants as a source of carbon for carboniferous fuels. This fuels non-electrified mobile sources and, directly fuels demand-responsive gas turbines for The Grid when the sun don't shine/the wind don't blow. Your renewables overproduce electricity, beyond what The Grid needs? Make CH4. Don't want to deal with permitting for a thousand-mile-long transmission pipeline? Don't. Colocate CH4 generation with CH4 use.

Need a microgrid for a Burning Man, a FEMA camp, or Palestine? Unload a containerized 1MWh solar/flywheel/battery/CH4 setup, with 5 acres' worth of containerized solar panels to back it up. Knock out the temporary panels on the containers and convert them to modular buildings. Need more MWh? More containers, more acres. Or just truck in a couple tankers of methane and a generator.

Applications requiring high energy density switch to CH4, or use the cheapest solar/wind electricity to turn CH4 to propane/kerosene/gasoline as needed. Aircraft and many ground vehicles will still emit CO2, but it's CO2 that was sucked from the sky: Net Zero is achieved.

Net CO2 reduction comes from diverting air-sourced carbon to fixation: plastics, paints, asphalt, concrete, diamonds.

The Haber-Bosch process uses air-sourced hydrogen or desalination-sourced hydrogen instead of fossil hydrogen to make ammonia.

[legarski]

Hybrid Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): Pioneering the Future of Energy and Connectivity

SolveForce is proud to announce the release of a groundbreaking new book, “Hybrid Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): From Design to Future Technologies,” co-authored by Ronald Joseph Legarski, Jr., President & CEO of SolveForce and Co-Founder of Adaptive Energy Systems. This publication stands at the convergence of next-generation nuclear energy, telecommunications infrastructure, and digital…

[notayesmanseconomics]

UK employment and unemployment are feeling the impact of the NI rises

Some days quite a few different economic themes cross over and today is one of those. Let me start with the words of UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. “We’re not going to apologise.” @Ed_Miliband tells #TimesRadio the decision to U-turn on winter fuel payments is right because the chancellor has now “stabilised the public finances”. He went on to repeat the claim of their having been a fiscal…

[lancely-blog]

Building Nuclear Power Plants in Hurricane Alley: Think Again?

All text copyrighted ©️ 2025 by Lancer Gareth Bailey

Dow Industries recently unveiled plans to construct four nuclear power plants along the Texas Gulf Coast—an area famously nicknamed “Hurricane Alley.” While the company promises clean, reliable energy, the proposal raises critical safety concerns that can’t be ignored.

Texas’ coastline is no stranger to nature’s fury. This region faces a trifecta of extreme weather threats: hurricanes, flooding, and increasingly unpredictable power grid behavior. In recent years, we’ve seen firsthand how these forces can cripple infrastructure. Now, imagine those same forces converging on a nuclear facility.

When hurricanes make landfall, they bring not just high winds, but massive storm surges and torrential rains. These can knock out power, flood backup generators, destroy infrastructure, and limit access for emergency crews. Add to that the Texas heat, which can stress cooling systems, and winter storms like the 2021 blackout event that left much of the state in the dark for days. Every one of these hazards could pose serious challenges to a nuclear plant’s ability to maintain safe operations—not just during normal use, but especially during shutdown and emergency conditions.

The risks aren’t hypothetical.

During Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station in New Jersey—though already offline—issued an emergency alert as floodwaters rose dangerously close to disabling its spent fuel pool cooling systems. Just a few more feet, and it might’ve mirrored the disaster that unfolded in Japan the year before.

Fukushima Daiichi, one of the most technologically advanced nuclear plants in the world, was also shut down ahead of the 2011 tsunami. That didn’t stop catastrophe. Flooding knocked out the backup generators that powered its cooling systems, leading to a partial meltdown, hydrogen explosions, and widespread radioactive contamination. The world learned that even a powered-down plant can become a disaster zone if cooling is lost.

Which brings us to a common misconception: Can’t we just shut down a plant before a storm hits? Yes—and operators often do. But turning off the reactor doesn’t mean the danger ends. Even in shutdown, nuclear fuel continues to generate heat for days or weeks. That heat must be actively managed and cooled—usually with pumps that require power. If floodwaters knock out the electrical systems or disable generators, it could lead to a cascade of failures. The same applies to spent fuel pools, which house older but still highly radioactive fuel rods. If those pools overheat, they can boil off coolant water, ignite fuel rods, and release radiation.

So while Dow Industries may tout their plan as safe and forward-thinking, the public deserves more than assurances. We need absolute clarity on how these facilities will be hardened against storm surges, flooding, wind damage, prolonged grid outages, and cooling system failures. We need to know whether emergency responders can access these sites during a hurricane. And we need to ask why—after all we’ve learned—any company would choose to build nuclear reactors in one of the most weather-vulnerable regions in the country.

Clean energy is critical. But it cannot come at the cost of basic common sense. If we ignore the lessons of the past, we may end up repeating them—with consequences too great to bear.

⸻

Counterarguments:

1. Proximity to Industrial Demand

The Texas Gulf Coast is home to some of the largest petrochemical and manufacturing complexes in the world, including Dow’s own operations in Freeport and along the coast. These facilities require massive, stable, around-the-clock electricity, far beyond what wind or solar can reliably deliver on their own.

• Nuclear energy offers baseload power—it runs continuously and isn’t subject to the intermittency of renewables.

• Locating nuclear plants close to demand centers reduces transmission losses and costs, and increases grid stability.

2. Nuclear is a Clean Energy Source

In an era of accelerating climate change, even traditionally carbon-heavy industries are under pressure to decarbonize.

• Nuclear power produces zero carbon emissions at the point of generation, making it a crucial tool in the fight against climate change.

• Texas already leads in wind and solar, but pairing those with reliable nuclear could help phase out coal and natural gas faster.

3. Advanced Reactor Designs Are Safer

Since the Fukushima disaster, U.S. plants have undergone significant upgrades, including the implementation of FLEX strategies, redundant safety systems, and passive self-shutdown capabilities that don’t rely on electric pumps or operator intervention to stay safe in emergencies. Newer reactors, especially the small modular reactors (SMRs) being proposed by Dow, are designed to be even more resilient.

• These designs can automatically cool themselves, even if power is lost.

• New containment structures are engineered to withstand flooding, high winds, and seismic events.

4. Economic Development

The project would likely bring thousands of high-paying construction and engineering jobs, as well as long-term skilled employment for plant operators, security, and maintenance crews.

• It could transform coastal communities economically, providing tax revenue and infrastructure investment.

• It may also attract other industries looking for stable, low-carbon energy sources.

5. Texas is No Stranger to Big Infrastructure

Supporters might argue that if any state has the resources, space, and technical capability to build resilient nuclear facilities in a challenging environment, it’s Texas. They may point to the state’s experience with large-scale oil & gas infrastructure and its growing leadership in energy innovation.

Additionally, there is already precedent for safe nuclear energy along the Texas coast.

The South Texas Project (STP), located near Bay City, has operated two nuclear reactors since the 1980s without a single severe accident, radiation leak, or environmental contamination. Even when tested by nearby Category 4 Hurricane Harvey in 2017, the plant remained stable and fully operational. While there have been a few minor incidents—like a transformer failure and a switchyard fire in 2024—none compromised safety systems or public health.

⸻

But… Asterisks Everywhere

Each of these arguments comes with caveats:

• Modern reactor designs are promising, but not yet widely deployed or tested under real-world hurricane stress. No current reactors have been tested against a direct hit by a category 4 or 5 hurricane. Hurricanes are getting stronger due to climate change. A direct hit from a Category 4 or 5 storm—even if not catastrophic—could still force expensive shutdowns, damage infrastructure, and disrupt energy delivery.

• Clean energy goals are crucial—but placing critical infrastructure in high-risk zones may undermine those goals in the long term.

• Economic development is good—but who bears the risk if something goes wrong? Likely the surrounding communities.

⸻

Side Note: Is Nuclear Power Truly “Clean” Energy?

While nuclear power generation itself emits no carbon dioxide, labeling it as “clean” overlooks the significant challenge of radioactive waste management. High-level radioactive waste, such as spent nuclear fuel, remains hazardous for thousands to hundreds of thousands of years, depending on its isotopic composition. For instance, plutonium-239 has a half-life of about 24,000 years, meaning it takes that long for half of its radioactivity to decay. Managing such long-lived waste necessitates secure containment strategies to prevent environmental contamination and protect human health over extensive periods.

Currently, most high-level waste is stored on-site at nuclear facilities, awaiting the development of permanent disposal solutions like deep geological repositories. The long-term stewardship required for this waste poses ethical and logistical challenges, as it demands reliable containment and monitoring systems that can function effectively for millennia.

Therefore, while nuclear energy contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, its classification as “clean” must be weighed against the enduring responsibility of managing its radioactive byproducts.

⸻

Note: This editorial is based on publicly available information as of April 2025. For the most current developments regarding Dow Industries’ nuclear projects, please refer to official announcements and regulatory filings.

[medicaldevicesindustrynews]

U.S. Nuclear Power Market: Growth Drivers, Challenges, and Future Outlook

The U.S. nuclear power market is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing electricity demand, advancements in reactor technologies, and a focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In 2024, the market was valued at approximately USD 13.3 billion and is projected to reach USD 19.6 billion by 2032, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1% from 2025 to 2032. Rising…

[anuraxx]

Oklo says engaging with Nuclear Regulatory Commission in readiness assessment.. read more..

[neosciencehub]

Future of Energy: India's Nuclear Ambitions

Future of Energy: India's Nuclear Ambitions @neosciencehub #Energy #India #NuclearAmbitions #SmallModularReactors(SMRs) #BudgetFY25

India is poised to become a key player in the global energy landscape with its ambitious goal of developing 100 GW of nuclear energy by 2047. This commitment reflects not only a response to the country’s growing energy demands but also aligns with the global transition towards cleaner, more sustainable energy sources. Central to this vision is the implementation of strategic initiatives,…

[nicolae]

Amazon is investing in the nuclear industry in small modular reactors for clean energy

Amazon has announced a bold step towards sustainability with a major investment in small modular reactors (SMRs) to use clean nuclear power globally. The initiative marks a significant shift in the company’s energy strategy as it aims to reduce its carbon footprint and move closer to its goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2040. The investment, part of Amazon’s Climate Pledge, involves a…

[newsepick]

Google backs new nuclear plants to power AI

Google is partnering with nuclear startup Kairos Power to construct seven small nuclear reactors in the U.S., a groundbreaking deal aimed at supporting the company's growing energy needs for AI and promoting a nuclear revival. The agreement, which includes a commitment to purchase 500 megawatts of power, marks the first commercial initiative for small modular reactors in the U.S. Kairos plans to deliver the reactors between 2030 and 2035, using molten fluoride salt instead of water as a coolant. This partnership addresses the demand for stable, carbon-free energy in the tech industry.

[wayti-blog]

"MUMBAI: State-run Indian Oil Corporation Ltd is in preliminary talks with atomic power monopoly to build small nuclear units [Small modular reactors (SMRs)], an early-stage technology seen as a cost-effective alternative to larger plants.

The refiner and fuel retailer is exploring a partnership with state-controlled Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd to use small modular reactors, or SMRs, in its refineries for clean power, Alok Sharma, Indian Oil's director for R&D, said at a conference in New Delhi Wednesday.

As several bigger projects face delays, policymakers are promoting small-scale nuclear technology with a capacity of up to 300 MW, which is quicker to build and easier to adjust to the requirements of the grid. To boost the nascent sector, the government is considering allowing private firms to manage and operate reactors."

article here

[darnellafrica]

Ghana 🇬🇭 Nuclear Deal: Small Modular Reactors From Five Potential Suitors

Ghana 🇬🇭 has been experiencing energy growing pains as of late, & the nation is actively seeking out nuclear power as a long-term option.

Fortunately, the nation known for its gold has a golden opportunity to have a nuclear power plant built within its borders & is actively being courted by five nuclear-powered nations.

“Choosing the US industry offers advantages you can’t get from anyone else,” said Maria Korsnick, president of the US Nuclear Energy Institute. “The US industry will not seek to weaponise energy production or trap partners in a cycle of debts. We want real partnerships that lead to real energy independence and security.” […]

Ahead of the summit, the US government committed $1.7m to the development of a Small Modular Reactors (SMR) simulator in Ghana to serve the region, matching up similar efforts by Russia’s state-run Rosatom that only recently sealed a nuclear power plant deal with neighbouring Burkina Faso.

Since 2021, when it put out a request for a vendor country, the West African country has received proposals from the US, Russia, China, France and South Korea.

Although the government of Ghana 🇬🇭 still has friendly relations with France 🇫🇷 & Russia 🇷🇺, it would be surprising for them to pick either of those countries due to the growing anti-France sentiment in Africa & global sanctions on Russia 🇷🇺 (over their invasion of Ukraine 🇺🇦), respectively.

China 🇨🇳, South Korea 🇰🇷 & the United States 🇺🇸 are probably the leading contenders for a reactor, with the latter being the most welcoming due to availability of capital.

Hopefully, more African nations will be courted with nuclear energy deals in the future, as Ghana’s 🇬🇭 bigger brother Nigeria 🇳🇬 is also in desperate need of a nuclear power plant.

[empresa-journal]

Ontario Government Wants Three More small Nuclear Reactors

Ontario Power Generation plans to build three additional small modular reactors (SMRs) at the Darlington nuclear site. If successful, the utility’s plan will raise the number of SMRs at Darlington to four, a press release indicates. Ontario Power Generation (OPG), GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, SNC-Lavalin, and Aecon are building Canada’s first SMR at Darlington. The Canada Infrastructure Bank is…

[batboyblog]

Things the Biden-Harris Administration Did This Week #38

Oct 11-18 2024

President Biden announced that this Administration had forgiven the student loan debt of 1 million public sector workers. The cancellation of the student loan debts of 60,000 teachers, firefighters, EMTs, nurses and other public sector workers brings the total number of people who's debts have been erased by the Biden-Harris Administration using the Public Service Loan Forgiveness to 1 million. the PSLF was passed in 2007 but before President Biden took office only 7,000 people had ever had their debts forgiven through it. The Biden-Harris team have through different programs managed to bring debt relief to 5 million Americans and counting despite on going legal fights against Republican state Attorneys General.

The Federal Trade Commission finalizes its "one-click to cancel" rule. The new rule requires businesses to make it as easy to cancel a subscription as it was to sign up for it. It also requires more up front information to be shared before offering billing information.

The Department of Transportation announced that since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration there are 1.7 million more construction and manufacturing jobs and 700,000 more jobs in the transportation sector. There are now 400,000 more union workers than in 2021. 60,000 Infrastructure projects across the nation have been funded by the Biden-Harris Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Under this Administration 16 million jobs have been added, including 1.7 construction and manufacturing jobs, construction employment is the highest ever recorded since records started in 1939. 172,000 manufacturing jobs were lost during the Trump administration.

The Department of Energy announced $2 billion to protect the U.S. power grid against growing threats of extreme weather. This money will go to 38 projects across 42 states and Washington DC. It'll upgrade nearly 1,000 miles worth of transmission lines. The upgrades will allow 7.5 gigawatts of new grid capacity while also generating new union jobs across the country.

The EPA announced $125 million to help upgrade older diesel engines to low or zero-emission solutions. The EPA has selected 70 projects to use the funds on. They range from replacing school buses, to port equipment, to construction equipment. More than half of the selected projects will be replacing equipment with zero-emissions, such as all electric school buses.

The Department of The Interior and State of California broke ground on the Salton Sea Species Conservation Habitat Project. The Salton Sea is California's largest lake at over 300 miles of Surface area. An earlier project worked to conserve and restore shallow water habitats in over 4,000 acres on the southern end of the lake, this week over 700 acres were added bring the total to 5,000 acres of protected land. The Biden-Harris Administration is investing $250 million in the project along side California's $500 million. Part of the Administration's effort to restore wild life habitat and protect water resources.

The Department of Energy announced $900 Million in investment in next generation nuclear power. The money will help the development of Generation III+ Light-Water Small Modular Reactors, smaller lighter reactors which in theory should be easier to deploy. DoE estimates the U.S. will need approximately 700-900 GW of additional clean, firm power generation capacity to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Currently half of America's clean energy comes from nuclear power, so lengthening the life space of current nuclear reactors and exploring the next generation is key to fighting climate change.

The federal government took two big steps to increase the rights of Alaska natives. The Departments of The Interior and Agricultural finalized an agreement to strengthen Alaska Tribal representation on the Federal Subsistence Board. The FSB oversees fish and wildlife resources for subsistence purposes on federal lands and waters in Alaska. The changes add 3 new members to the board appointed by the Alaska Native Tribes, as well as requiring the board's chair to have experience with Alaska rural subsistence. The Department of The Interior also signed 3 landmark co-stewardship agreements with Alaska Native Tribes.

The Department of Energy announced $860 million to help support solar energy in Puerto Rico. The project will remove 2.7 million tons of CO2 per year, or about the same as taking 533,000 cars off the road. It serves as an important step on the path to getting Puerto Rico to 100% renewable by 2050.

The Department of the Interior announced a major step forward in geothermal energy on public lands. The DoI announced it had approved the Fervo Cape Geothermal Power Project in Beaver County, Utah. When finished it'll generate 2 gigawatts of power, enough for 2 million homes. The BLM has now green lit 32 gigawatts of clean energy projects on public lands. A major step toward the Biden-Harris Administration's goal of a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035.

Bonus: President Biden meets with a Kindergarten Teacher who's student loans were forgiven this week