Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant
KNOXVILLE, TN-Our vision: Create a reliable, affordable, flexible, and clean electricity generating option for the 2030s and beyond.
TVA continues to evaluate emerging nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors, as part of technology innovation efforts aimed at developing the energy system of the future. While TVA actively works to extend the life of our existing reactors, we are also taking steps to be able to add next-generation nuclear power, such as advanced light water small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced non-light water reactors, to the TVA portfolio. TVA’s goal is to identify an economically viable advanced nuclear technology to generate carbon-free electricity in the 2030s and beyond.
An advanced nuclear reactor is defined as a nuclear fission reactor with significant improvements over the most recent generation of nuclear fission reactors. Such reactors include Light Water Reactor (LWR) designs, both pressurized and boiling water reactors, and non-LWR designs using various moderators, coolants, and types of fuel. Many of the LWR designs are considered to be small modular reactors (SMRs), which are defined as reactors with electric generating capacity of 300 megawatts or less, in contrast to an average of about 1,000 megawatts for existing commercial reactors.
Advanced or unconventional reactor designs seek to use combinations of new and existing technologies and materials to improve upon earlier generations of nuclear reactors. Advanced reactor designs may be grouped into three primary categories:
- Advanced light water-cooled reactors, referred to as SMRs, provide evolutionary improvements to proven light water-based fission technologies through innovations such as simplified design, smaller size, or enhanced efficiency;
- Advanced Non-light water-cooled reactors are fission reactors that use materials such as liquid metals (e.g., sodium and lead), gases (e.g., helium and carbon dioxide), or molten salts as coolants instead of water
- Microreactors, are simply smaller, factory-built systems that can be easily transported by trucks, ships, airplanes or railcars. Some microreactors can be set up in days, not years, to provide reliable heat and power to a host of places, ranging from residential and remote areas to military bases
Advanced nuclear reactors may be characterized by a range of technological maturity. Advanced light water-cooled SMRs are considered to be among the most mature of the advanced reactor technologies. Advanced Non-LWR reactors are considered to be further from commercialization.
Advanced Nuclear Reactors
How TVA is Leading the Charge
TVA is evaluating advanced nuclear technologies, including small modular and micro reactors, as part of TVA’s technology innovation mission. Advanced Nuclear reactors offer clean energy technology that would play a key role in TVA’s continued mission of environmental stewardship while increasing capability for future energy demands.
Small Modular Reactors
Small Modular ReactorsSmall modular reactors are advanced light water reactors with an electric generating capacity of up to 300 MW. SMR designs are based on existing commercial LWR technology but are generally small enough to allow major reactor components to be placed in a single pressure vessel, thereby eliminating the need for primary circuit pipework with the intention of enhancing safety and reliability. The reactor vessel and its components are designed to be assembled in a factory and transported to the plant site for installation, potentially reducing construction time and costs from those of large LWRs.
Potential SMR Advantages:
- Improved safety and security
- Reduced construction time
- More standardization
- Small footprint; more site options
- Lower financing costs
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