The US Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has applied to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to construct a GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GVH) BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) at the Clinch River site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
The 300 MWe BWRX-300, a 10th generation design, builds on decades of real-world boiling water reactor operating experience and innovation, using a standard design, a proven delivery model and GVH’s experience with cross-border regulatory collaboration.
“TVA’s investment in the standard design of the BWRX-300 technology will accelerate its deployment, helping meet the rising demand for energy and enhancing energy security,” said Craig Ranson, President & CEO, GVH.
TVA has invested in the standard design of the BWRX-300 as part of a technical collaboration agreement with Ontario Power Generation (OPG), Synthos Green Energy and GVH. TVA is also leading a coalition of utility companies and supply chain partners that has applied for an $800m Department of Energy grant to accelerate construction of the SMR.
Earlier in May, the Province of Ontario and OPG announced approval to proceed with construction of the first BWRX-300 at OPG’s Darlington site near Toronto. A total of four BWRX-300s are planned for the site with construction of the first unit to be complete by the end of the decade.
In January, it was announced that Duke Energy had entered into an agreement to invest in activities to advance the standard design and licensing of the BWRX-300 SMR and that American Electric Power (AEP) had selected the BWRX-300 for potential deployment at the Indiana Michigan Power Rockport Plant in Spencer County, Indiana, pending approval of a DOE funding request that TVA is leading.
“TVA has put in the work to advance the design and develop the first application for the BWRX-300 technology, creating a path for other utilities who choose to build the same technology,” said TVA President and CEO Don Moul. He added that TVA “looks forward to working with the Administration to accelerate advanced nuclear technologies … we believe deploying new nuclear is essential to providing American families and businesses affordable and abundant electricity for decades to come”.
