What are the prospects for the implementation of small modular reactors in Ukraine and what role can domestic science play in this process? These important issues were recently discussed at a meeting of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
As stated in his report by Yuriy Zabulonov, Director of the Institute of Environmental Geochemistry of the NAS of Ukraine, Corresponding Member of the NAS of Ukraine, today the development and creation of small modular reactors is becoming a trend all over the world. According to him, the reality of the implementation of SMR is brought closer by factors such as increased demand for electricity, as well as the demand for low-carbon energy in the context of combating climate change.
As stated in Yuriy Zabulonov’s report, today more than 80 projects of small modular reactors are being developed in the world. They are at different stages of development, design, are designed for different performance, and also for different fields of application, such as electric power, hybrid energy systems, heating, water desalination, oil refining, metallurgy, etc. 9 out of 80 projects are reactors that are already operating and those that are being built quickly, 11 are projects of small modular reactors (up to 25 MW), 17 are projects that will be implemented in the near future, and 21 are projects in the early stages of development. But we note that the small modular reactors that have already been put into operation today can be counted on the fingers of one hand (in particular, two in China). And there are not a single one in Europe and the USA yet. The General Director of the National Research Center “Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology” Academician Mykola Shulga notes that the real widespread implementation of such reactors is likely not earlier than in 15–20 years.
Among the advantages of such reactors, Yuriy Zabulonov named the use of integral structures, simplified architecture, standardized design, reduced total radioactivity, small core size, better capabilities in the field of modular design and technological manufacturing. Potential application capabilities of such installations were also voiced: for example, one MMR with a capacity of 300 MW could provide all the energy needs of Zhytomyr or Kherson.
The leading countries in the development of such reactors are the USA, China, Canada, and Japan. States without nuclear energy, such as Poland, Mexico, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Estonia, and Latvia, are also currently participating in MMR projects.
As for Ukraine, it has signed memoranda and agreements with Holtec International, NuScale, Westinghouse, and Rolls Royce. Many of them involve the construction of MMRs on our territory using foreign technologies.
Among Ukraine’s “trump cards,” the participants in the discussion named a developed nuclear industry, relevant personnel, and scientific achievements. “We have a base from which we can start,” noted Yuriy Zabulonov. “The fact that we were late in starting does not mean that we are the last. I am convinced that our Ukrainian MMR is a real prospect.”
What opportunities are open to NAS scientists in this context? Yuriy Zabulonov believes that involvement in the development of MMRs can become one of the main promising vectors of the academy’s development and can launch new areas of scientific research. Scientists can also provide scientific support for projects, analyze technologies, and provide expert evaluation.
Many NAS institutes already have certain developments. In particular, specialists from the Institute of Environmental Geochemistry are carrying out research, analysis and environmental assessment of the prospects for the implementation of SMR in Ukraine, developing scientific foundations for creating technologically and environmentally sound solutions for nuclear and radiation monitoring systems, environmentally safe operation and radioactive waste management.
During the discussion, Senior Researcher at the Institute of Telecommunications and Global Information Space of the NAS of Ukraine Yevgeny Yakovlev emphasized the need to implement a new engineering, geological and geotechnical zoning of the territory of Ukraine in the context of the possible development of “small” nuclear power. At the same time, it should be taken into account that SMR have reduced water use and geotechnical load, they are more earthquake-resistant, etc.
The Head of the Technical Committee “Hydrogen Technologies and Nuclear Industry” under the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine Mykola Proskura expressed the opinion that small modular reactors can be adapted to the conditions of hostilities by building them in such a way that they cannot be bombed. He also added that the construction of the MMR is one of the ways to decentralize the energy sector.
Director of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering Problems named after A.M. Pidhorny of the NAS of Ukraine, Academician Andriy Rusanov, stated that currently Ukraine will not be able to cope with the implementation of the MMR project on its own. But at the same time, by cooperating with partners in the development of the reactor itself, our country can produce the periphery (in particular, turbines, pumps) independently. The first steps in this direction have already been taken. For example, today the Institute of Mechanical Engineering Problems is developing a steam turbine installation for the MMR of the NuScale company.
Director of the Scientific and Technical Complex “Nuclear Fuel Cycle” of the National Scientific Center “Kharkiv Physics and Technology
chy Institute” Volodymyr Krasnorutsky recalled that nuclear power began precisely with small reactors – with a capacity of up to 300 MW.
He also emphasized the need to form specific proposals from institutions and divisions of the NASU regarding the design and further operation of small modular reactors. As for the NSC “KhFTI”, as Volodymyr Krasnorutsky noted, in its practice the institution developed fuel elements and nuclear fuel for all types of small reactors in the USSR. KhFTI also participated in the development of the first reactors for submarines. As the scientist stated, many developments that were in the focus of attention earlier were taken as a basis for the development of modular options. “We can join a project and demonstrate all our capabilities,” Volodymyr Krasnorutsky is convinced.
Director of the Institute for Nuclear Research of the NASU, Academician Vasyl Slisenko, emphasized that without scientific support, it will not be possible to implement grandiose plans for the development of our nuclear power industry. He also proposed to address the National Security and Defense Council to create a coordination group for the development of the nuclear industry with the involvement of representatives of the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Energy, the National Academy of Sciences and the Ministry of Education.
This proposal was supported and expanded by Mykola Shulga, emphasizing the need to create a roadmap that would outline the place of small modular reactors, the prospects for their implementation and the steps that need to be taken today.
Advisor to the Directorate of the Institute of Applied Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Academician Volodymyr Storizhko, outlined the areas of potential use of high-temperature modular reactors in Ukraine. They were formulated as a result of cooperation with American colleagues who are developing such installations.
The first area is the development of hybrid energy systems based on MMR and renewable energy sources to replace small and medium-capacity coal-fired thermal power plants, the second is the development of energy systems to provide heat and electricity.
