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The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has taken a significant step forward by announcing the advancement of new policies related to microreactors. These innovative energy systems are designed to generate nuclear energy for specific purposes such as powering companies or communities, while also providing emergency power reserves.
According to the NRC’s announcement on June 18, the agency will be accepting three new federal policies recommended by its staff. The new measures aim to streamline the process of building and deploying these small modular reactors (SMRs) that can operate for up to a decade or longer.
The key features of microreactors include their ability to be built, loaded with fuel, and tested at factories before being shipped to operational sites. These mini-reactors would generate approximately 1% or less of the power produced by current large-scale reactors.
The NRC’s new policies will also enable microreactors designed with safety features that prevent nuclear chain reactions from being excluded from operation if they have such safeguards in place. Additionally, it is now possible to load fuel at a factory under an NRC license that permits the possession of fuel.
Moreover, the agency has directed its staff to apply non-power reactor regulations to enable testing of these microreactors at factories prior to their deployment at operational sites.
Furthermore, the NRC will continue exploring other microreactor-related activities, including collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Defense to deploy microreactors on DOE/DOD sites or as part of critical national security infrastructure.
These advancements in microreactor policies have significant implications for industries seeking alternative energy sources and emergency power solutions.
Source: www.forbes.com
