Knowledge Tree
small modular reactors
Also known as: SMRs, small modular nuclear reactors, small modular nuclear reactor, small modular light water reactor, small modular light water reactor designs, small modular light water reactor systems
Facts (26)
Sources
The Power of Change: Innovation for Development and Deployment ... nationalacademies.org 5 facts
accountThe U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has provided complementary funds to support private developers in navigating the regulatory process for small modular light water reactor designs.
claimThe U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) does not currently provide support for the downstream stages of the nuclear innovation process and has no plans to build prototypes of advanced reactors, with the exception of the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Licensing Technical Support Program.
accountOne of the two companies participating in the U.S. Department of Energy's small modular reactor (SMR) program has substantially reduced its funding for SMR development and extended the project timeline into the early 2020s.
measurementThe U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Licensing Technical Support Program is a nearly $500 million initiative seeking to accelerate the commercialization of two small modular light water reactor systems by supporting their certification and licensing.
measurementThe cost for private developers to navigate the regulatory process for small modular light water reactor designs has been estimated at several hundred million dollars.
What Role Does Nuclear Energy Play in the Race to Net Zero? earth.org Jul 19, 2023 5 facts
measurementGE-Hitachi’s BWRX-300 is a small modular reactor design with a capacity of 300 MW.
referenceSmall modular reactors (SMRs) produce under 300 MW of power, utilize modular factory construction to reduce costs, and are scalable to meet demand. Examples include NuScale’s 77 MW light water reactor (LWR) design and GE-Hitachi’s 300 MW BWRX-300.
measurementNuScale’s light water reactor (LWR) design is a type of small modular reactor with a capacity of 77 MW.
claimSmall modular reactors with built-in safeguards pose less proliferation risk than traditional reactor designs.
claimSmall modular reactors under 300 MW that are entering commercialization can significantly reduce nuclear energy costs by utilizing cheaper factory construction techniques.
Nuclear Energy and Climate Change Mitigation everycrsreport.com Apr 1, 2025 5 facts
claimThe Natrium nuclear power plant demonstration planned in Wyoming is an example of a flexible small modular reactor (SMR) that stores heat from a reactor in large tanks of molten salt to generate electricity at rapidly varying levels.
claimThe Department of Energy (DOE) announced on March 24, 2025, that it would reissue a solicitation for $900 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to support small modular reactors, replacing a previous solicitation from the Biden Administration.
claimDow and X-energy are collaborating to deploy the first advanced small modular nuclear reactor at an industrial site under the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program.
referenceThe U.S. Department of Energy announced $900 million in funding to support the commercial deployment of American-made small modular reactors on March 24, 2025.
claimThe Department of Energy (DOE) requested $750 million for fiscal year 2026 to cover credit subsidy costs for loan guarantees for small modular nuclear reactors, a program the agency describes as an immediate priority.
The role of nuclear energy in mitigating climate change oecd-nea.org Dec 13, 2021 2 facts
claimSmall modular reactors can be applied to on-grid and off-grid power generation, desalination, providing low-carbon heat for heavy industries like steel production, and producing hydrogen and synthetic fuels for the transportation sector.
measurementSmall modular reactors are expected to enter the market within the next few years and have the potential to displace 15 gigatonnes of emissions between 2020 and 2050.
Sustainable Energy Transition for Renewable and Low Carbon Grid ... frontiersin.org Mar 23, 2022 2 facts
claimSmall modular reactors are smaller, cheaper, and faster to deploy than traditional reactors, and their modular design allows for flexible capacity development in countries with low electricity demand while generating less waste and posing lower explosion risks.
perspectiveThe use of small modular reactors is encouraged for countries with low energy demand to facilitate phased development and faster growth of nuclear power.
Chapter: 5 Beyond Electricity: Nuclear Power's Potential to Play a ... nationalacademies.org 2 facts
How Nuclear Power Supports Decarbonization Goals - LinkedIn linkedin.com 1 fact
accountIn May 2025, two-thirds of Danish Members of Parliament supported a formal investigation into whether new nuclear technologies, specifically Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), could improve energy security.
Tracking Trump's Trade Deals | Council on Foreign Relations cfr.org Mar 17, 2026 1 fact
claimIndonesia, the United States, and Japan are partnering to deploy small modular reactors, with the initial project located in West Kalimantan.
Role of Advanced Nuclear Energy in Deep Decarbonization onlocationinc.com Oct 20, 2021 1 fact
claimNew, smaller, and modular nuclear reactor designs offer flexible operations that are crucial for electric grids with high levels of variable renewable generation.
Nuclear energy's role in global decarbonization efforts catf.us Jan 20, 2023 1 fact
measurementThere are over 72 small modular reactors currently awaiting deployment, but they cannot be deployed without supporting regulatory frameworks.
Clean Energy Solutions Must Include Nuclear | ClearPath clearpath.org 1 fact
measurementNew nuclear technology investments include improved traditional gigawatt-scale designs, small modular reactors (50- to 300-megawatt range), and micro-reactors for remote or off-grid locations.