Novel Small Modular Reactors and Their Application Feasibility in Alaskan Cities

Nuclear power, using the energy from nuclear reactions to generate heat and electricity, first made its appearance in the 1940’s, and has been emerging as a major player in the world’s energy market since then. Currently, there are over 440 commercial nuclear power reactors operable in 31 countries and providing over 11% of the world’s electricity (1). Nuclear energy has its popularity, as it has been thought as a continuous and reliable baseload power with no carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gas emissions, in another word, a “clean energy.” It is also the most controversial energy source, with many arguments and concerns about its safety and social impacts. Current major nuclear power generating nations in the world include the United States, France, Russia, China and South Korea. Even though nuclear energy has been widely deployed, the forwardness of technology never ceased; innovative nuclear technologies are under development in many countries, some in cooperation with other nations. One of the newer technologies is in the development of small modular reactors (SMRs). Small Modular Reactors defined by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as reactors with a power rating lower than 300 MWe factory-built elements or modules designed for serial construction (2). It is a term that has not been brought up for a long time, though it is becoming a spotlight in the field of nuclear energy with soaring public attention in recent decades. SMR, for the most part, is an unmatured technology, other than on naval ships (2), that is still under development. This thesis will assess their projected efficacy in the 2030 timeframe (technical, environmental, social and economic). Further, their conceptual siting and use in two Alaskan cities, Fairbanks and Juneau, will be evaluated. These evaluations will be based on the anticipated best available (or soon to be available) fast SMR technology in 2030.Bachelor of Scienc