How much does an SMR cost?

To give a sense of scale of the expense, the NuScale SMR, which is the familiar light water design, is expected to cost roughly $1.5 billion just for development and certification. New non-light water designs will very likely cost more and take longer to develop from the concept stage to licensing review and approval.

Can an SMR meltdown?

First, they really can’t melt down. Second, the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission just agreed that any emergencies that could possibly occur at a small modular nuclear power plant probably won’t even get past the fence.

What nuclear company does Bill Gates own?

TerraPower
TerraPower, a start-up co-founded by Bill Gates to revolutionize designs for nuclear reactors, has chosen Kemmerer, Wyoming, as the preferred location for its first demonstration reactor.

Are SMRs safe?

SMRs feature smaller, less robust containment systems than current reactors. This can have negative safety consequences, including a greater probability of damage from hydrogen explosions.

What are the problems with SMRs?

What is 4th generation nuclear?

Fourth generation nuclear power, or Generation IV, implies a system of reactors and nuclear fuel cycle facilities – fuel fabrication plants and reprocessing facilities – that together may manage the weaknesses often associated with nuclear power of today.

When was the last nuclear power plant built in the world?

The newest reactor to enter service is Tennessee’s Watts Bar Unit 2, which began operation in June 2016. The next-youngest operating reactor is Watts Bar Unit 1, also in Tennessee, which entered service in May 1996. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licenses U.S. commercial nuclear reactors for 40 years.

Is Wyoming building a nuclear power plant?

Yes, a Bill Gates-owned company is planning to build a nuclear power plant in Wyoming. TerraPower, which was co-founded by Bill Gates, recently selected a Wyoming site to demonstrate its first-of-a-kind Natrium nuclear reactor.