Some of the nation’s largest power companies are eyeing a potential new resource, small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear energy, as a way to address future formidable loads from data centers, and industrial The company is helping customers electrify commercial and transportation vehicles.
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and American Electric Power (AEP) are jointly seeking a strong financial base and federal funding to advance SMR and advanced reactor projects. Although SMRs have not yet been built or deployed, they will provide smaller and cheaper nuclear power compared to conventional reactor plants currently in operation.
Federal agency TVA, along with a coalition of partners that includes Bechtel, BWX Technologies (BWXT), Duke Energy, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), and GE Hitachi Nuclear, will receive eight orders from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Generation 3+ Small Modular Reactor Program. We are leading a $1 billion application. Energy (GEH), AEP company Indiana Michigan Power, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Sargent & Lundy, Scott Forge, and North American Forgemasters, Tennessee and other power companies, advanced nuclear project developers.
In 2024, Congress will enact a grant program to incentivize Generation III+ SMR deployment in the United States to strengthen the U.S. domestic nuclear industry and meet the growing demand for affordable, reliable, and clean electricity. Founded.
The funding will accelerate construction of the SMR at TVA’s Clinch River Project in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, by two years and accelerate the acquisition, said Jeff Reisch, TVA President and CEO. Commercial operation is scheduled for 2033. TVA is working with partners to ensure that this funding not only leads to the deployment of SMRs at Clinch River, but also supports the establishment of a domestic supply chain and the deployment of future advanced nuclear units in the U.S. and abroad. We are definitely working on it.
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TVA will work with partners to share lessons and best practices to offset costs and reduce risk for customers, while improving nuclear technology across the nation. TVA is following a structured planning process to enhance the Clinch River Project as the TVA Board of Directors evaluates and considers approving future plans.
TVA’s Board of Directors has not voted to approve SMR at the nuclear facility, but DOE funding, if available, could help accelerate the initial activities of the project. TVA is pursuing BWRX-300 technology in the United States with Canada’s Ontario Power Generation (OPG). OPG also plans to build similar technology, which is expected to be operational by 2029.
TVA plans to potentially deploy up to four SMRs at the Clinch River Nuclear Facility. These introductions will stimulate the supply chain for BWRX-300 reactors in the future.
Additionally, AEP is seeking grants under the U.S. Department of Energy’s Generation 3+ SMR program to support the Early Site Permit (ESP) process for two potential SMR sites. The utility, through its operating company Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), announced that the Lockport plant site in Spencer County, Indiana, has been identified as a potential SMR site. AEP, through its Appalachian Power operating company, has also begun the ESP process for its Joshua Falls property in Campbell County, Virginia.
I&M is seeking $50 million through a grant partnership with TVA and GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) to begin the initial stages of SMR development at the Lockport plant site.
I&M applied as a subrecipient under TVA’s application, and GEH became the reactor technology provider. Appalachian Power is applying under another grant category, but no technology provider has been identified at this time.
Steve Baker, I&M President and Chief Operating Officer, said: “The flexibility of our power generation portfolio allows us to provide reliable, affordable power to our customers.” This includes baseload generation as well as renewable energy from wind and solar.”
I&M is also working to extend the operating permit for the Cook Nuclear Power Plant in Bridgeman, Michigan, until 2054 for Unit 1 and 2057 for Unit 2.
