Publication Laka-library:
One size doesn’t fit all: Social priorities and technical conflicts for small modular reactors

AuthorRamana, Mian
6-01-3-60-07.pdf
DateMay 2014
Classification 6.01.3.60/07 (NUCLEAR SAFETY - REACTORS - OTHER TYPES, SMALL MODULAR REACTORS)
Front

From the publication:

One size doesn’t fit all: Social priorities and technical
conflicts for small modular reactors
M.V. Ramana∗, Zia Mian
Nuclear Futures Laboratory and Program on Science and Global Security, 
Princeton University, United States
a r t i c l e i n f o
Article history:
Received 23 February 2014
Received in revised form 22 April 2014
Accepted 22 April 2014
Available online 24 May 2014

a b s t r a c t
Small modular reactors (SMRs) have been proposed as a possible way to address
 the social problems confronting nuclear power, including poor economics, the 
possibility of catastrophic accidents, radioactive waste production, and linkage 
to nuclear weapon proliferation. Several SMR designs, with diverse technical 
characteristics, are being developed around the world and are promoted as 
addressing one or more of these problems. This paper examines the basic features 
of different kinds of SMRs and shows why the technical characteristics of SMRs do 
not allow them to solve simultaneously all four of the problems identified with 
nuclear power today. It shows that the leading SMR designs under development 
involve choices and trade-offs between desired features. Focusing on a single 
challenge, for example cost reduction, might make other challenges more acute. 
The paper then briefly discusses other cultural and political factors that 
contribute to the widespread enthusiasm for these reactors, despite technical 
and historical reasons to doubt that the promises offered by SMR technology 
advocates will be actually realized.