RR22 Mar 2025 10:42
Rolls Royce SMR technology (Small Modular Reactors) in the UK - clean energy - net zero
Thank you to Rolls Royce and University of Sheffield AMRC (Advanced Manufacturing and Research Centre) for the welcome, tour and exciting insights into top research and manufacturing in the field of energy and climate. Thank you Alan Pardoe, manufacturing manager, for the detailed explanations and tour, Professor Harry Burroughes of AMRC Sheffield University and Sebastian Russell-Smith, Manager for Government Affairs at Rolls Royce.
SMR
The SMR approach (small modular reactors) is a novel approach in nuclear energy production and is an answer to ever growing complexities of traditional nuclear power plants and growing costs. It uses smaller units which need less space and are pre-fabricated off site in manufacturing facilities in small modular units that can easily be transported by road or rail. The production is standardized for each unit which requires high-class engineering during preparation and many top manufacturing jobs. SMR provide between 20-300 megawatts, use a fraction of the traditional space and can run 60 years without refueling.
In 2024 Rolls Royce signed a cooperation department with CEZ in the Chech Republic to deliver SMR to Chechia and develop a production site and manufacturing jobs. Rolls-Royce SMR have entered into a partnership agreement with Energy technology firm Siemens Energy that is expected to lead to the exclusive supply of conventional technology for future Small Modular Reactors (SMR).
Siemens Energy is to be the supplier of steam turbines, generators, and other auxiliary systems for the British manufacturer's planned Generation 3+ modular nuclear power plants. The final contract is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Energy Secretary Ed Milliband has outlined the strategy of the government. “Clean energy is the route to energy security, lower bills, good jobs and a safe climate for our children and grandchildren… new technologies such as small modular reactors off huge potential to deliver clean, homegrown energy for families and businesses.” British Prime Minister vowed to go beyond the current 8 planning sites and use his majority in Parliament, as he told i-paper.
The challenge of the transformation is a balance between sustainability, energy security and affordability. A higher cost-efficiency can save many billions. So far the costs of the energy transition were high and the effects on global emission reductions low. It is time to review all approaches and find better ways, using market mechanisms and innovation. Also the expected energy consumption and investments in grid and infrastructure should be continuously revised and adapted to demand
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