Nuclear power producers are working to shrink reactors down to the size of shipping containers, with the aim of providing a competitive alternative to electric batteries as a carbon-free energy source, writes the Financial Times. Westinghouse is leading this initiative, focusing on the development of «microreactors» capable of replacing diesel and gas generators used by various industries – from data centers and isolated communities to offshore oil and gas platforms. «Early on, we identified areas of the economy that are difficult to decarbonize, particularly isolated communities that depend on extremely expensive transportable diesel,» explained Jon Ball, Westinghouse's eVinci microreactor program leader. «Today, interest in these solutions has grown considerably, and we believe that this field will experience significant development.» Nuclear power is undergoing a renaissance as governments and technology companies seek clean sources to meet their climate goals. Dozens of projects are currently underway to develop small modular reactors with a capacity of up to 300 MW. Microreactors are much smaller than modular reactors, with a capacity of up to 20 MW, enough to power approximately 20,000 homes. They operate similarly to large batteries without requiring a control room or on-site personnel. After installation, the reactors are connected and allowed to operate autonomously for several years, after which they are transported back to the manufacturer for refueling. In December, Westinghouse received approval from US nuclear regulators for a control system that allows remote operation of the 8 MW eVinci reactor. This innovative reactor has few moving parts and uses pipes filled with liquid sodium to transfer the heat from the nuclear fuel to the surrounding air. This heat can be used either to power electric turbines or for heating systems. «Our goal is to operate these reactors from a central location, monitoring a fleet located in various areas of the world,» Ball said. The reactors use ceramic-coated Triso fuel, specially designed to withstand extreme temperatures without melting, thus increasing their safety and efficiency.
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