Nuclear Rosatom
A new way forward for
nuclear
Russia is getting closer to a small modular reactor reality, writes Rusatom Overseas President Evgeny Pakermanov
T
is powered by two 35MW KLT-40S small modular reactors (SMRs), meeting the energy demands of 50,000 homes. The unique FNPP is moored in the port town of Pevek, and will replace the ageing Chaunsk coal-fired power plant – saving about 50,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year, compared to current levels. The floating power unit (FPU) is designed for an operational life cycle of 40 years (with a possible extension). After decommissioning, the FPU will be towed to a special deconstruction and recycling facility.
Market demand SMRs offer an excellent option for countries looking for flexible and safe reactors while maintaining the high level of electricity production generated by large nuclear power plants (NPPs). Equipped with pioneering post-Fukushima safety technology, offering flexibility in both installation and construction, and capable of producing electricity up to 300MWe per module, SMRs are gathering global interest. Beyond energy, SMRs can be used in a variety of applications, including hydrogen production, desalination and heating. If developed, these projects will provide not only energy but also heat at a favourable price compared to other sources. This is already the case with the FNPP in Pevek.
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he world’s only floating nuclear power plant (FNPP), Akademik Lomonosov, commenced commercial operation on 22 May 2020. Thirty nine days later, on 30 June, the FNPP started providing heat in addition to electricity to remote Russian communities in the Chukotka region on the East Siberian Sea. Built by state atomic energy corporation Rosatom through its electric power division Rosenergoatom, Russia’s 11th nuclear plant
This achievement builds on our rich history of researching and testing small reactors on nuclear icebreakers. Since 1954, Rosatom has designed small reactors for civil marine applications, accumulating more than 400 years of small reactor experience. To date, 26 small reactors for civil marine applications have been manufactured, including six RITM-series SMRs for multi-purpose icebreakers. In November 2019, two reactors onboard the Arktika icebreaker reached first criticality.
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