A memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been signed between the US Department of Energy (DOE), Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS), and Battelle Energy Alliance (BEA), on small modular reactor (SMRs).
Specifically, this MOU highlights DOE’s intention to draw from two modules of a 12-module plant intended for construction at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) under the Carbon Free Power Project (CFPP).
One module will be designated for research activities (as part of the Joint Use Modular Plant or JUMP programme). Research activities are expected to focus principally on integrated energy systems that support the production of electricity and non-electric energy products. The other module could be used in a Power Purchase Agreement to provide power to INL.
UAMPS formally launched the CFPP in 2015 as part of its long-term strategy to reduce carbon emissions and replace ageing coal-fired plants. The project calls for constructing a small modular reactor on DOE’s 890-square-mile Idaho site using technology being developed by NuScale Power. The proposed SMR plant would have twelve 60MWe modules. The project is currently undergoing licensing. If approved the plant is expected to be fully operational by 2027.
“This agreement will allow DOE to meet its needs in the form of resilient power to a national security mission-based lab while drawing from our nation’s newest class of advanced reactors,” noted Ed McGinnis, principal deputy assistant secretary of Nuclear Energy at DOE. He added that the programme provides a "unique opportunity" for the laboratory to conduct nuclear energy research, and contribute to the successful commercialisation of the USA’s first SMR.
DOE also noted that BEA and UAMPS intend to sign an agreement to use one of the NuScale Power Modules for INL research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) activities under the JUMP programme.
Meanwhile, DOE and UAMPS intend to work together to engage utility, Idaho Power, about how the supply of power produced by the project could support INL’s energy needs. INL will need up to 70MW of power in the 2025-2030 timeframe.
Photo: The NuScale power plant (credit: NuScale LLC)
