Nuclear power plants operating in Europe in 2022 generated approximately 22% of the electricity consumed. The control panels are active in 13 countries- Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden - and contribute to keeping energy demand in balance in their respective countries. What to expect for 2024?
After the war in Ukraine they compensated for the lack of gas imports, also triggering new reflections on the usefulness of nuclear power. There are many positions on the field, as is known. The atom has become synonymous with risks and social incompatibility. Can progress be made? What role will reactors play in the coming years? when and if Will the transition take hold? A question mark that also applies to theItaly. The target may be small SRM reactors.
What are SRMs?
You can work with these small, modular devices. Yes they can to build also in Europe. The EU Commission has broken the deadlock and proposed an industrial alliance to start the production of reactors “turnkey” by 2030.
The Energy Commissioner, Kadri Simson he said that those who want to participate have until April 12th and there will be specific calls to see who is interested. It seems clear that we don't want to waste a lot of time and have something concrete available as early as 2025. There are Italian start-ups that have preferred to work in France rather than at home precisely due to political hesitations.
SMRs are nuclear reactors with a power of up to 300 electric megawatts. Conventional nuclear power plants in operation, on the other hand, develop up to 1000 Megawatts.
Now, space and power characteristics make SRMs more flexible “in terms of site selection, construction speed, amount of cooling water.” There are researchers who have been working on it for years.
In Europe there is a potential technological low carbon content that must be exploited. The Alliance would also like to bring together governments, as well as industries and research centres. Ultimately it's about developing research and overcoming some fears.