The goal of micro-reactors is to replace diesel and Henry Hub Natural Gas generators, which are widely used in Datacenters, remote Communities, and offshore Oil & Gas platforms. The output power of micro-reactors is typically around 20 megawatts, sufficient to power approximately 20,000 households.
As the world actively seeks clean Energy to combat climate change, several nuclear energy companies are developing "micro-reactors" the size of shipping containers, hoping to compete with Battery and become a new zero-carbon Energy source.
The goal of micro-reactors is to replace diesel and Henry Hub Natural Gas generators, which are widely used in Datacenters, remote Communities, and offshore Oil & Gas platforms. The output power of micro-reactors is typically around 20 megawatts, sufficient to power approximately 20,000 households.
Unlike traditional large Nuclear Power plants, these reactors can operate flexibly like large Batteries, requiring no Control System or staff on-site, connecting to the grid upon Transportation to the location, and running continuously for years, after which they can be sent back to the manufacturer for fuel replacement once depleted.
$Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies (WAB.US)$ Jon Ball, head of the eVinci micro-reactor project, stated that as investor interest grows, micro-reactors will become an important growth area.
Micro Nuclear Reactors: A New Engine for the Energy Revolution.
The revival of nuclear energy is due to the urgent demand from governments and large Technology companies for clean Energy to meet climate commitments.
Currently, dozens of projects are developing small modular reactors, which can generate up to 300 megawatts, while the output power of micro reactors is generally around 20 megawatts, sufficient to power about 0.02 million households.
The operation of micro reactors is similar to that of large Batteries, requiring no on-site control room or staff. The reactors will be transported to designated locations, and after connection, they can run for several years before being retrieved by the manufacturer for refueling.
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies' eVinci micro reactor received Control System approval from the USA nuclear regulatory agency last year and will enable remote operation in the future. This reactor extracts heat from nuclear fuel using pipes filled with liquid sodium, transferring it to the surrounding air to drive turbines for electricity generation or to be used in heating systems. Ball stated:
Our goal is to be able to operate independently from a central location, only needing to monitor reactors deployed around the Global.
The eVinci micro reactor also utilizes Triso fuel with a ceramic coating, designed to withstand extreme temperatures without melting down. eVinci is the first micro reactor to complete engineering research and is expected to begin testing in 2027. Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies has also recently signed an agreement with the United Kingdom startup Core Power, which plans to develop offshore Nuclear Power stations.
Core Power CEO Mikal Bøe stated that eVinci is expected to obtain an operation license from the USA nuclear regulatory commission in 2029.
Ball pointed out that the target market for eVinci includes Datacenters and the Oil & Gas Industry. He believes that running multiple micro reactors simultaneously will make the energy supply for Datacenters more stable.
In the early stages of development, micro reactors still face challenges.
However, the market for micro-reactors is still in the early stages of development.
J Clay Sell, CEO of X-energy, stated that as the scale shrinks, the economy faces challenges. He pointed out:
"You must achieve a higher scale for micro-reactors to be economically viable."
Bøe believes that once the production line is scaled up, micro-reactors will be price competitive. He estimates that when producing 60 to 120 reactors, electricity prices can be achieved between 100 to 150 dollars per megawatt-hour. Although this price is not competitive with grid scale, it has strong competitive advantages in ports, terminals, petrochemical facilities, and remote areas.
In addition, issues regarding the safety, transportation, and running of micro-reactors still need to be resolved.
Ronan Tanguy, head of safety and licensing programs at the World Nuclear Association, pointed out that regulators still need to establish rules for the remote operation and Cybersecurity of micro-reactors. Furthermore, regulations regarding cross-national transportation and onsite refueling are also urgently needed.
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