Competitiveness Strategies and Technical Innovations in Light-Water Small Modular Reactor Projects

It is widely recognized that economies of scale enhance the competitiveness of large-scale nuclear reactors compared to light-water small modular reactors (SMRs). As such, choosing an appropriate strategy to enhance competitiveness is crucial for the future of SMRs. Their development is still in the early stages, and among the leading projects, two distinct approaches to technical innovation can be observed. In some projects, technical innovations are rejected because they are perceived as triggers for risky, costly, and long-term processes. In short, this means that the competitive advantage is based primarily on modular design and the benefits of long production runs, which might require at least a few successful implementations. Examples of this approach include the Westinghouse AP300 and Rolls-Royce SMR designs. In other projects, technical innovations are viewed as a means to achieve substantial cost reductions. Here, the initial challenge is to prove that the proposed solutions are safe. Next, it must be demonstrated that their implementation and operation meet the designers’ expectations. These goals can be achieved with the first implementation. Such an approach is exemplified, for instance, in the NuScale and GEH BWRX-300 projects. Currently, available economic analyses show that it is challenging not only to identify the most promising SMR projects but also to determine which approach to technical innovation will ultimately be more effective. Therefore, it is worth examining how leading SMR projects have improved their competitiveness. Additionally, it is important to remember that, even if light-water SMRs are not deployed, it is likely that some of their innovative solutions will be incorporated into other advanced nuclear power plant designs and potentially applied beyond the nuclear industry.