An MoU has been inked between ABB and Rolls-Royce SMR to collaborate and consider opportunities in a next generation fleet of standardised, factory-made small modular reactors (SMRs). Each Rolls-Royce SMR reactor is set to produce 470 MW of low carbon electricity with ABB looking at how its technologies can contribute towards scaling up the process.
Scaling next generation nuclear power:
ABB and Rolls-Royce SMR would be exploring opportunities across ABB’s automation, electrification, instrumentation and communications offering within Rolls-Royce SMR’s planned fleet of reactors.
Rolls-Royce SMR has begun the site specific design and delivery of SMRs for the first UK SMRs project which would include three SMRs in North Wales. The project is said to have created thousands of employment opportunities and build local supply chain capacity.
Rolls-Royce SMR is collaborating with ČEZ for potential deployment at Temelín and could possibly deploy further reactors at Tušimice and Dětmarovice. It has been selected by Videberg Kraft for delivering three SMRs on the Värö Peninsula in Sweden.
“Rolls-Royce SMR is redefining the delivery of nuclear projects, offering more certainty on costs and timing with a standardized and manufactured solution,” said Stacy O’Brien, Head of Procurement Enterprise at Rolls-Royce SMR. “ABB has a distinguished track record of delivering automation and electrification solutions for energy infrastructure projects, and through this collaboration there will be an opportunity to see if we can further enhance our delivery capabilities.”
Increasing global opportunity for SMRs:
This collaboration is taking place as there is increasing interest in SMRs on the global level. According to International Energy Agency (IEA), it is estimated that SMR capacity could be around 40 GW by 2050 according to the existing policies. It could increase to 120 GW in case of increased governmental support and efficient implementation of new designs.
“This is very exciting for us to be able to look at ways of working with Rolls-Royce SMR in their quest to build a global fleet of SMRs, which may contribute to growing the capacity of reliable and affordable baseload power to provide a growing demand for low carbon energy,” said Per Erik Holsten, President of ABB’s Energy Industries Division. “Working together is also important – because neither any single organization nor nation alone can achieve the scale of growth and transformation in energy needed to satisfy future demands. Cooperation along the whole energy value chain is vital in accelerating the development of state-of-the-art nuclear technology.”
Proven reactor technology-based:
The Rolls-Royce SMR is a Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR), using technology that has been used in thousands of nuclear reactors across the world. Its three-loop technology features a variety of built-in safety systems and is geared towards meeting high requirements for safety, security and non-proliferation.
This partnership will be further built up through ABB’s UK operations in Warrington.
