Potential for small and micro modular reactors to electrify developing regions

While small-scale nuclear power is typically thought of for niche markets, recent work has suggested that it could help address the massive gaps in energy access in developing countries. However, nuclear energy has safety, governance and economic considerations that affect its deployment. Here we pr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature energy 2024-06, Vol.9 (6), p.725-734
Main Authors: L’Her, G. F., Kemp, R. S., Bazilian, M. D., Deinert, M. R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
639/166/4073/4100
706/4066/4064
Competitiveness
Developing countries
Economics
Economics and Management
Energy
Energy Policy
Energy Storage
Energy Systems
Energy utilization
LDCs
Microreactors
Niche markets
Night
Nighttime
Nuclear accidents & safety
Nuclear energy
Nuclear power reactors
Nuclear reactor components
Nuclear reactors
Nuclear safety
Power reactors
Reactors
Renewable and Green Energy
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Summary:While small-scale nuclear power is typically thought of for niche markets, recent work has suggested that it could help address the massive gaps in energy access in developing countries. However, nuclear energy has safety, governance and economic considerations that affect its deployment. Here we present a global analysis of regions suitable for nuclear reactor deployment based on physical siting criteria, security, governance and economic competitiveness. We use high-resolution population and satellite night-time light data to identify areas in need of electricity. We show that, technically, reactors in the 1–50 MWe range could serve 70.9% of this population. However, economics alone would make microreactors uncompetitive compared with renewables and energy storage for 87% of this population. Grid extensions and small modular nuclear reactors (with more competitive economics) could electrify these populations, but governance issues could limit deployment for all but 20% of this population. Together, governance and economics eliminate 95% of the potential market for microreactors. A new study assesses global small-scale nuclear power reactor deployment suitability, finding that reactors in the 1–50 MWe range could serve 70.9% of the population living in regions without night-time light. However, governance and economic issues eliminate 95% of the potential market.
ISSN:2058-7546
2058-7546
DOI:10.1038/s41560-024-01512-y