The standardized mortality rate (SMR) is the ratio of the number of deaths observed in a population over a given period to the number that would be expected over the same period if the study population had the same age-specific rates as the standard population.
What are the benefits of SMR?
SMRs provide simplicity of design, enhanced safety features, the economics and quality afforded by factory production, and more flexibility (financing, siting, sizing, and end-use applications) compared to larger nuclear power plants. Additional modules can be added incrementally as demand for energy increases.
Are SMRs safer?
Small modular reactors offer a lower initial capital investment, greater scalability, and siting flexibility for locations unable to accommodate more traditional larger reactors. They also have the potential for enhanced safety and security compared to earlier designs.
What do small modular reactors do?
Like conventional nuclear reactors, small modular reactors harness thermal energy to generate electrical power. For example, the thermal energy heats water into steam, which then powers a turbine, generating electrical power. The Reactor Island houses all of the nuclear systems.
What does a SMR do?
SMRs enable modular build of power generation systems. This allows distribution of build costs over a longer duration. An individual SMR could be built in four or five years. Once operational it will generate revenue to aid funding of additional modular units, if required.
How safe are SMR?
A major advantage of SMRs is their natural safety No electrical supplies or pumps are required to cool the reactor following an incident, as this is achieved by natural convection and gravity coolant feed. This feature ensures the reactor will remain safe under severe accident conditions.
How long does an SMR last?
Power plants based on SMRs may require less frequent refuelling, every 3 to 7 years, in comparison to between 1 and 2 years for conventional plants. Some SMRs are designed to operate for up to 30 years without refuelling.4 Nov 2021
How much energy can an SMR produce?
Small modular reactors (SMRs) are advanced nuclear reactors that have a power capacity of up to 300 MW(e) per unit, which is about one-third of the generating capacity of traditional nuclear power reactors.4 Nov 2021
How many homes can a small modular reactor power?
Small modular reactors (SMRs) are nuclear reactor units with an output of up to 300 megawatts of electricity. Since 2010, at least nine states introduced legislation supporting SMR development. A 300-megawatt SMR could generate enough electricity to power approximately 230,000 homes a year.
How much power does a nuclear reactor produce?
1 gigawatt
Are there any operating SMRs?
Most of them are in various developmental stages and some are claimed as being near-term deployable. There are currently four SMRs in advanced stages of construction in Argentina, China and Russia, and several existing and newcomer nuclear energy countries are conducting SMR research and development.
Are there any small modular reactors?
Advanced Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are a key part of the Department's goal to develop safe, clean, and affordable nuclear power options. The advanced SMRs currently under development in the United States represent a variety of sizes, technology options, capabilities, and deployment scenarios.