Is the power generation "small nuclear reactor" of the decarbonized society an option? April 28, 16:52

"Our reactors offer a much different level of safety. All the lessons learned from the Fukushima accident also helped in the design,"

he emphasized in an interview: "Small reactors." Is the founder of an American start-up company that promotes the development of.

A small nuclear reactor is a new type of nuclear reactor that many countries are currently focusing on developing.

With the global demand for decarbonization to stop climate change, could it be an option to generate the electricity we use?

(International Department Reporter Tamura Galaxy)

US ventures enter one after another

A control room with monitors lined up all over the wall.

This is a simulation room of the startup company "New Scale" headquartered in Oregon, western United States.

Here, simulations of the operation of a small nuclear reactor scheduled for construction are being repeated.

A small reactor is a reactor with a relatively low power output.

According to the definition of IAEA = International Atomic Energy Agency, the output is 300,000 kW or less, which is about one-third to one-fourth of the conventional one.

The company's reactor is even smaller, with a containment output of over 20 meters high and 4.5 meters wide, with an output of 77,000 kW.

Although the output per unit is small, it is said that by operating 12 such containment vessels called modules side by side, the output will be close to that of a conventional nuclear reactor.

Why stick to small size?

In the background, there is a safety issue that was revealed in the accident at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station 10 years ago.

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant was equipped with a device to inject water from the outside to cool the reactor in an emergency, but the emergency power supply was lost due to the tsunami, the cooling function was lost, and a meltdown occurred. I did.

For these reasons, attention has been focused on designs that do not require additional cooling water or power supply even in an emergency after the accident.

The small furnace of this company is operated by putting the containment vessel in the pool.

Due to its low output, in the event of an accident, the core can be cooled and safely shut down without the need for an emergency power source or additional cooling water.

Founded in 2007, the company has received over $ 400 million in financial support from the US Department of Energy.

After a design review by the NRC = Nuclear Regulatory Commission, it is scheduled to start operation as early as 2029, making it the closest company to commercialization in the world.

In the United States, several other companies have entered the small furnace, and development competition is in progress.

"Decarbonization" boosts

The power situation in the United States is behind the continuous entry into small-scale furnace development.

Coal-fired power generation in the United States has been closed one after another due to its inferior profitability to shale gas and oil and the spread of renewable energy against the backdrop of environmental measures.

According to the US Department of Energy, coal power generation is expected to be less than two-thirds of its peak (2011) in 2025.

On the other hand, the large-scale nuclear power generation facilities that have been used up to now are also aging, and new construction requires enormous costs, so small furnaces, which are said to have relatively low construction costs, are attracting attention. ..

"New Scale" is appealing that part of the old coal-fired power generation facility can be converted to a small furnace and that employment can be continued.

The boost is the birth of the Biden administration.

The Democratic Party's Biden administration has stated that all domestic electricity will be "clean energy" that does not emit carbon dioxide, and is focusing on expanding renewable energy, but nuclear power generation is also an option.

The presidential election promise also stated that the development cost of small nuclear reactors would be reduced, and the large-scale infrastructure development plan announced in March included development investment in new nuclear reactors.

With many countries around the world turning to decarbonization policies, the company expects significant growth in the small reactor market.

Dr. José Reyes

"Newscale believes that achieving climate change goals is essential for the future of the planet. Cost-effective'decarbonization'would not be possible without nuclear power. "

We believe that demand for small reactors will increase significantly between 2030 and 2040."

Development is not limited to the United States.

British Prime Minister Johnson has also announced support in the industrial policy for decarbonization, and Rolls-Royce is developing it.

In addition, development is underway in China and Russia.

Russian state-owned enterprises are expected to apply the technology of nuclear-powered icebreakers and utilize them at resource development bases in Siberia and the Arctic Ocean.

It is reported that China is also planning construction on Hainan Island in the south, aiming to supply electricity at sea in the South China Sea.

Risk of not becoming "zero"

On the other hand, the opposite voice is also deep-rooted.

"Small furnaces are dirty and dangerous,"

said the Canadian Environmental Law Association.

In Canada, the government tried to support the development of small furnaces, but more than 100 environmental groups and others issued statements against this.

Even if it is small, it is said that it will take too much time to develop so-called "nuclear waste" and to deal with climate change, which is an urgent issue.

In addition, disarmament and energy experts point out that even small furnaces cannot reduce the risk of accidents to zero.

Rather, he argues that efforts should be made to popularize renewable energy.

Professor Ramana

"Nuclear power is complex, and even if each is unlikely, accidents can occur for a variety of reasons."

"What has changed over the last decade is the cost of renewable energy. People are starting to think that "nuclear power is not the only answer" when they hear the news that the cost of solar power has become cheaper. "

Nuclear industry survival strategy?

There are criticisms that small furnaces are a device for maintaining nuclear technology and the nuclear industry.

Nuclear power accounts for about 10% of the world's power generation, but the IEA = International Energy Agency predicts that power generation is declining due to the end of the operation period and little investment in new construction, so it remains as it is. By 2040, nuclear power generation in developed countries will decrease by up to two-thirds.

Against this background, there is an idea that it is necessary to maintain nuclear technology and maintain the nuclear industry, especially in nuclear-weapon states such as the United States and the United Kingdom.

Professor Ramana points out that the development of small reactors has become a survival strategy for governments and industries that want to maintain nuclear technology.

Professor Ramana

"The discussion about small reactors can only be seen in the interests of the nuclear industry, not in terms of energy policy."

"For the nuclear industry, small reactors are to show their relevance. I need it. "

How to get involved in Japan

What will happen in Japan?

The Japanese government is also taking up small furnaces in its decarbonization policy.

At the end of last year, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry took the lead in compiling an action plan "Green Growth Strategy for 2050 Carbon Neutral" for the realization of a carbon-free society. The nuclear industry is mentioned as one of the above, and it is said that it will support the efforts of Japanese companies that cooperate with overseas projects for small reactors.

Until now, small furnaces have been developed by a group company established by Hitachi, Ltd. jointly with GE = General Electric in the United States.

Furthermore, against the background of the government policy, JGC Corporation, a major plant construction company, announced in April that it would invest 40 million dollars (about 4.3 billion yen) in "New Scale" aiming to advance into the design and construction business of small furnaces. Did.

There was also movement at the Japan-US summit meeting on April 16.

The "Japan-US Climate Partnership" between Japan and the United States has also included a new type of nuclear reactor as a field of cooperation for innovation in climate change countermeasures between the two countries.

At the moment, these policies are only helping Japanese companies deploy small furnaces overseas.

A spokeswoman for JGC responded to the interview, "We recognize that it will be very sensitive and time-consuming considering not only the people of Fukushima but also the public sentiment," and said that the market is overseas for the time being. ..

In response to JGC's announcement, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Kajiyama, who was asked by reporters about the use of small furnaces in Japan after the Cabinet meeting on April 6, replied as follows.

Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Kajiyama

"We are pleased to see progress in concrete efforts in collaboration between Japanese and US companies regarding small module furnaces (small furnaces). The government's idea so far is that it does not anticipate new expansion or replacement (rebuilding). "

How to deal with nuclear power again

On the other hand, there are movements with a view to using it in Japan.

In February, Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. decided to consider new construction and rebuilding of small furnaces, etc. in its future vision aiming for decarbonization in 2050.

Furthermore, in April, a parliamentary federation was established within the Liberal Democratic Party to promote the construction of the latest nuclear power plant.

"Nuclear power is indispensable for achieving both cheap energy supply and decarbonization," and based on the development trends of small reactors, we will summarize opinions for the new construction and expansion of the latest nuclear reactors. ..

Japan's energy policy is behind the controversy even though the government has decided not to establish a new one.

Since the Great East Japan Earthquake, Japan has relied on thermal power generation such as coal while many nuclear power plants have been shut down.

However, decarbonization is required, and while old coal-fired power plants will be forced to close in the future, the restart of existing nuclear power plants has not progressed much due to lack of local understanding, and the introduction of renewable energy has not progressed. Is also pointed out to be behind compared to European countries.

In particular, this is a turning point for the government's "Basic Energy Plan" to be reviewed once every three years.

In order to achieve the new target announced at the April Climate Change Summit (reducing greenhouse gas emissions toward 2030 by 46% compared to 2013), what should be done with the power source composition in 2030? Discussion will be held.

On the other hand, the Government of Japan has set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero as a whole by 2050, but regarding the power source composition for that purpose, there are multiple scenarios, saying that future technological innovations are uncertain. I will consider it.

We also analyze domestic think tanks and NGOs, but the reality is that there are various views, from the estimation that nuclear power and thermal power are necessary to supply the necessary electricity, to the scenario that renewable energy alone is sufficient. is.

In Japan, which experienced the worst nuclear accident in history 10 years ago, what kind of electricity will our lives depend on from now on?

While aiming for a carbon-free society, this is a question that each and every one of us must face again without leaving it to others.

International Department Reporter

Tamura Galaxy

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in

2013 After working at

Tsu

Broadcasting

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Chiba

Broadcasting Station,

International Department