A recent IAEA small modular reactor (SMR) school held in Murmansk, Russia, has given policy makers and regulators from around the world an opportunity to learn directly from organisations involved in the design, regulation and operation of SMRs and nuclear-powered vessels.
The School, hosted by the Russian Government through the Rosatom Technical Academy, brought together 22 participants from 13 IAEA member states. The programme combined classroom discussions, technical visits and a virtual tour of the Akademik Lomonosov floating nuclear power plant which has been providing heat and power to Pevek in Chukotka since 2020. Operators discussed its role in the local energy system, including electricity and district heating, and shared lessons from its operation.
“Member states are showing strong interest in learning not only about SMR technologies, but also from practical experience with technologies already in operation,” said Dohee Hahn, Coordinator of the IAEA SMR Platform. “Such experience helps countries better understand what has been demonstrated in practice, as well as the opportunities and challenges of SMRs, supporting more informed decision-making on the potential role of SMRs in their national energy mixes.”
The Murmansk SMR School was the second in a new edition of the IAEA initiative focusing on SMR technologies approaching deployment or already operating. It followed a School held at Argonne National Laboratory in the United States in June, where participants met developers and industry organisations.
The programme in Russia allowed participants to examine compact reactor technologies already operating in marine and remote environments. It also included discussions with Russian SMR developers, operators, regulators and other specialists. Discussions covered KLT-40S and RITM reactor technologies used on the floating nuclear power plants, safety and licensing, nuclear security, safeguards, human resources, fuel cycle considerations and deployment planning. There were also sessions introducing advanced reactor concepts including the SHELF-M project (an integral pressurised water-cooled, water-moderated microreactor) and the BREST-OD-300 demonstration programme (a lead-cooled fast reactor with supporting fuel cycle facilities).
Participants also visited the Lenin, the world’s first nuclear-powered icebreaker, and Atomflot, the base for Russia’s nuclear icebreaker fleet. On board the Lenin, they explored the history of compact marine reactors. At Atomflot, they visited a modern nuclear-powered icebreaker and the Situation Centre supporting fleet operations.
“A distinctive feature of the school is its combination of classroom learning, virtual tours and site visits,” said Wei Eng Ang of Malaysia’s Department of Atomic Energy. “These activities provided a valuable opportunity to gain a closer understanding of the technology and its practical applications.”
The School enabled participants to consider the institutions, infrastructure and skills needed to regulate and operate SMRs safely and securely. Operating experience can help countries assess opportunities and challenges before deployment decisions are made. Many countries are considering SMRs for low-carbon electricity, heat, remote communities and industrial applications. Currently, SMRs are operating only in China and the Russian Federation, with projects under construction or development elsewhere.
“The format of this school included dedicated sessions in which organisations involved in the design, operation, and regulation of floating nuclear power plants and nuclear-powered icebreakers, shared their experiences and lessons learned,” said Kirsi Alm-Lytz, acting Director of the IAEA Division of Nuclear Installation Safety. “This is a particularly relevant topic in the context of the ongoing revision of the IAEA Safety Standards on design safety and safety assessment, as such facilities present specific design, licensing and operational safety considerations that need to be appropriately addressed and reflected in the safety standards to support their safe deployment and operation.”
Vinícius Monte of the Brazilian Office of Naval Nuclear Regulation noted: “The opportunity to engage with Russian designers and operators from floating nuclear power plants and nuclear-propelled icebreakers provided valuable interdisciplinary insights into current deployment models and future perspectives. As a regulator for maritime-based nuclear reactors, the operational experience shared during the School will be of great importance in supporting its safe and secure deployment in our country.”
Marwa Emam of Egypt’s Executive Authority for Supervising Nuclear Power Plants Projects said the programme had deepened her understanding of SMR technologies, safety approaches and deployment challenges. “The knowledge gained will support my work in Egypt, especially in understanding SMR licensing and regulatory considerations and contributing to the development of an appropriate framework for the safe and effective deployment of SMRs,” she explained.
The SMR School is part of the IAEA’s support to member states considering SMR technology, which includes the IAEA SMR Platform and the Nuclear Harmonisation and Standardisation Initiative. Earlier Schools covered technology, infrastructure, regulation, safety, security, safeguards and stakeholder engagement. The current format connects member states directly with technology developers, regulators and experienced operators.
The IAEA plans to hold additional SMR Schools and adapt future events to the needs of member states, including, where appropriate, direct engagement with technology developers and other relevant stakeholders.
