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It may be that events in Ukraine accelerated this action from the UK government . The conflict brought the issue of energy security to the forefront , galvanizing the debate around alternative sources of energy , including nuclear . SMRs typically produce less than 300 MWe compared to up to 1,600 MWe for traditional reactors . Their smaller size enables them to fulfil the need for flexible , affordable power and heat generation for a wider range of users and applications .
US President Joe Biden has also indicated his support for the technology , allocating $ 21 billion of the fiscal 2023 budget to nuclear and hydrogen programs . Canada has released its own SMR Action Plan , while emerging nations such as Estonia and Poland are looking closely at the technology .
Corporates are involved , too . Reactor designs are being developed by well-known players such as Rolls-Royce , to newer names including NuScale Power and TerraPower . The latter has drawn investment from Bill Gates and is developing several innovative SMR technologies for potential use in providing electricity to the developing world . Meanwhile EDF - the world ’ s biggest operator of atomic plants - is championing the future role of the SMR .
Opportunities across industry sectors
The use of small reactors for reliable power is not a new concept . SMRs have been used in the military since the 1950s , especially in vessels such as icebreakers and aircraft carriers that need to be at sea for long periods without refueling , or for powerful submarine propulsion .
The potential use of SMRs across major industries presents a significant commercial opportunity , not least in the extractive industry . Driven by the rapid industrialization of developing economies such as China and India , global energy consumption is on the rise and the demand for resources remains great . Yet the discovery of highgrade mineral deposits is simultaneously declining , forcing companies to turn to more remote inland locations .
These off-grid sites are often powered by diesel generators , fulfilling the need for consistent power supply but proving problematic in terms of logistics and environmental impact . Given the intermittency of solar and wind , batteries and hydrogen have been touted as potential replacements , but cost constraints are significant . SMRs limit emissions and maintain climate change commitments , while acting as replacements for diesel generators and a heat source for industrial processes and residential use . They can be deployed alongside renewables , providing a reliable baseload power to these otherwise intermittent forms of energy . In Canada , such progress is already underway : Westinghouse and Bruce Power have collaborated to develop the eVinci microreactor , which can be used in mines and remote areas .
Another opportunity is sustainable supply of potable water . About 20 per cent of the world ’ s population still has no access to safe drinking water , and this will increase as the population grows and freshwater sources continue to decline . The worst-affected areas are the arid and semiarid regions of Asia , the Middle East , and North Africa . SMR technology is thus piquing interest in such regions , particularly the Middle East where fossil fuels are currently used as a source of heat and electricity for desalination , as well as irrigation water for crops and landscapes . Thanks to the flexibility of SMRs , utilities can correctly size power plants for current clean energy and water requirements , with the option to increase capacity according to evolving demands .
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