Nuclear energy: Small modular reactor (SMR)

The primary differences in small modular reactors (SMRs) in comparison with larger nuclear power plants are their low power output (typically below 300 MWe per unit), their modularity and integrated design (NEA/OECD, 2016). An integrated design means that the reactor pressure vessel typically contains all primary components, such as the pressurizer, steam generators and reactor coolant pumps (European Commission, 2016).

The main design falls under three categories: light-water reactors (LWR), high-temperature gas cooled reactors (HTGR) and liquid-metal fast reactors (LMFR). LWRs have the most advanced design (European Commission, 2016).