A new wave of smaller, cheaper nuclear reactors is sending US states into a frenzy as they vie for the industry’s next generation. Advanced reactor designs touted as reliable and climate-friendly are being promoted by tech giants like Amazon and Google to power their fast-growing artificial intelligence platforms.
The reactors could be operational as early as 2030, giving states a short window to roll out the red carpet and attract big investments from the federal government and private companies. However, they still face lingering public skepticism about safety and growing competition from renewables such as wind and solar.
Twenty-five US states have passed legislation in support of advanced nuclear energy, while lawmakers have introduced over 200 bills this year alone. Utilities across the country are working to incorporate the energy source into their portfolios, with some governors proposing billions in incentives to develop and use the reactors.
The smaller, more flexible nuclear reactors could be factory-built from standard parts and are touted as flexible enough to be placed for a single customer, like a data center or industrial complex. Advanced reactors produce significantly less energy than conventional reactors, but still offer significant benefits.
Governors in several states, including Tennessee, Utah, Texas, Michigan, and Indiana, have announced plans to attract the nuclear industry with subsidies, tax credits, and other incentives. They see it as an always-on power source to replace retiring coal-fired power plants and help meet greenhouse gas-reduction goals.
Despite the excitement around advanced nuclear reactors, they still face significant challenges. No modular reactors are currently operating in the US, and a project to build the first one was terminated last year. The US Department of Energy estimates that it will need an additional 200 gigawatts of new nuclear capacity by 2050 to meet future power demands and reach net-zero emissions.
Industry experts warn that the supply chain for building reactors is limited, and the lack of high-quality concrete- and steel-fabrication design skills in the US could lead to higher costs and longer timelines. Additionally, uranium enrichment capacity needs to grow to support reactor production.
As the industry continues to evolve, it’s clear that the future of advanced nuclear reactors will be shaped by a complex interplay of technological, economic, and environmental factors.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/nuclear-energy-power-reactors-electricity-trump-climate-b9b31a1cc83298cd9b691c1f44a6f60f