Purdue study to explore small modular nuclear reactors in Indiana
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Purdue University will further its research of small modular nuclear reactor technology and study how it can potentially be used to power Indiana in the future, the university announced this month.
The Indiana Office of Energy Development has selected Purdue to examine what the use of small modular nuclear reactors, or SMRs, could look like in Indiana. The university said the study was chosen as it aligns with the office’s mission to develop comprehensive energy planning and policy development that’s diverse, affordable and sustainable for the future.
“It is not only logical, but also in a way, in my opinion, is essential to consider nuclear for the state if we are serious about moving forward to a carbon-free environment,” said Dr. Seungjin Kim, leader of Purdue’s School of Nuclear Engineering and the study’s principal investigator.
Kim said this is the first state-sponsored study of this nature they know of, so they have garnered attention from the federal level about their ongoing work and future findings.
“The energy transition is ongoing and will be for decades to come. In Indiana, we’ve added a lot of tools to our toolbox to help better manage the energy transition, but the conversations must continue,” IOED Executive Director Ryan Hadley said in a news release. “This SMR study is reflective of a proactive spirit to learn more about Indiana’s possible energy future.”
Using this type of technology, Kim said it’s possible to contribute to creating a 100% carbon-free environment since small modular reactors release no carbon.
“That’s why we think that this advanced nuclear technology can be an option for a sustainable future of humanity with a carbon-free environment,” he said.
Dr. Seungjin Kim talks about how SMRs can replace brownfields and provide work opportunities.
What are SMRs?
Small modular reactors are advanced nuclear reactors that can generate up to 300 megawatts of power per unit, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is about one-third of the generating capacity of traditional reactors.
In practice, Kim said SMRs will be manufactured in a factory instead of being built on-site like other reactors. There’s potential for them to be more affordable and generate hydrogen, which opens up other possibilities.
Safety is also a key component, he said. Not only do SMRs have a passive safety system, which means they can deal with issues internally without people entering, but they also take advanced nuclear fuel, eliminating the potential for a fuel melt.
SMRs can produce a baseload for the energy needed and amend that production based on the amount needed, he said. Also, other renewable energy sources, like wind and solar, can be worked into the system.
What are they studying?
The far-reaching study will touch on the current status of SMR technology; state and local economic impact; workforce development and employment; safety, environmental impact and nuclear waste, siting considerations; and community engagement needs and best practices.
The research will include in-depth studies on subtopics like workforce development, coal-to-nuclear transition benefits and issues, as well as community feedback and attitudes about nuclear energy.
The research team includes experts from Argonne National Laboratory, Energy Systems Network and Ivy Tech Community College. Several departments at Purdue are also involved including Nuclear Engineering, the Purdue Extension, the political science department, Purdue Polytechnic and the Purdue Center for Regional Development.
Work on the study began in February and will be completed in October. So far, Kim said the study is progressing well with each partner focusing on a piece of the larger study.
This latest study follows up on a report produced by Purdue and North Carolina-based Duke Energy last year that concluded small modular reactors are a promising, carbon-free energy option to power the West Lafayette campus that should be further explored.
Purdue has also amassed a significant reputation for its nuclear research program, and Kim said the university was involved 20 years ago when it was deliberating this idea. The study will actually reuse and rejuvenate a reactor that General Electric used and submitted a license for two decades ago.
“It’s been a long time for Purdue to be leaders in helping the federal government and also in the nuclear industry to come up with a better design for the small modular reactor,” Kim said.
Indiana has considered nuclear energy before, he said, but dropped a project due to cost. However, as the state pivots from its long history of coal use and brownfields, he said it’s logical for the state to look at deploying nuclear energy and potentially reap the societal benefits beyond energy production.
“We’re in a great position to actually, and also we need to seriously think about the nuclear power plant and deploy it and make use of it,” Kim said. “I don’t there is any reason why not.”