More than 1000 participants from nearly 100 countries are set to attend the first IAEA International Conference on Small Modular Reactors and their Applications, from 21 to 25 October at the Agency's headquarters in Vienna. The conference comes at a crucial time amid a new global consensus on the need to expand nuclear power to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are designed to produce typically no more than 300 MW(e), with their size making them a good option for deployment in remote areas and regions with smaller electric grids. The modularity of their design allows for their various components to be assembled in factories before transportation to deployment sites for installation, potentially reducing the time needed for construction. And with a growing number of prospective end users considering nuclear power to meet their needs, such as energy-intensive data centres, as well as the urgency to decarbonize a wide range of non-electric applications, SMRs may be in line to play a major role alongside their larger counterparts. Nuclear power generation is expected to expand significantly by mid-century, with versatile SMRs figuring to comprise a large share of the reactor fleet of the future, according to the IAEA.
"The high case scenario of the IAEA's latest projections sees nuclear electrical generating capacity in 2050 being two and a half times bigger than today. A quarter of that new capacity is projected to come from SMRs," said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. "To meet the low carbon energy needs of countries and industries, we need to ensure the timely demonstration and deployment of safe and secure SMRs. For that, international cooperation and collaboration are essential."
The conference will feature panel discussions and poster sessions covering areas within four primary topics: SMR design, technology and the fuel cycle; legislative and regulatory frameworks; safety, security and safeguards; and considerations to facilitate deployment of SMRs.
"There are around 70 active SMR designs at various stages of development worldwide, and many newcomer countries and industries are interested in SMRs," said Aline des Cloizeaux, Director of the IAEA's Division of Nuclear Power. "This event will bring together key stakeholders to discuss the latest developments in SMRs and ways to advance their deployment."
In parallel with the conference, the Nuclear Harmonization and Standardization Initiative (NHSI) will hold a plenary meeting prior to the conference opening. NHSI was launched in 2022 to facilitate the deployment of safe and secure SMRs and other advanced reactors by harmonizing regulatory approaches and standardizing industrial approaches. The initiative supports countries on two tracks. Through NHSI's regulatory track, three technical documents have been drafted, focused on approaches for cooperation on regulatory reviews, including a multinational pre-licensing joint review process. NHSI's industry track has produced several working papers on topics including how the production of long-lead items, such as pressure vessels, can be streamlined and how serial manufacturing of SMR components could facilitate quicker deployments. NHSI members will review work done and plan activities for the coming year.
"The broad participation in the conference highlights countries growing interest in SMRs and their applications," said Anna Bradford, Director of the IAEA's Division on Nuclear Installation Safety. "The IAEA remains fully committed to enabling the deployment of safe and secure advanced and innovative nuclear reactors, including SMRs."
An 'Industry Night', co-organized with the World Nuclear Association (WNA), will be held on Tuesday, 22 October, and feature vendors from around the world presenting the latest reactor technology across four panel sessions. On Wednesday, a young generation event co-organized by the International Youth Nuclear Congress (IYNC) and the IAEA will facilitate a discussion on how SMRs and microreactors can contribute to a sustainable and equitable future.
IAEA assistance through the SMR Platform
The IAEA supports countries in deploying SMRs through activities including technical assistance, capacity building, information sharing and coordination of research and development efforts. The IAEA Platform on Small Modular Reactors and their Applications serves as the focal point for the IAEA's work in this area, providing coordinated support and expertise from across the Agency in all aspects relevant to the development, early deployment and oversight of SMRs. The SMR Platform is designed to facilitate cooperation and collaboration among Member States and other stakeholders, supporting the safe and secure deployment of SMRs worldwide.
