Alleima, a global manufacturer of high value-added products, received a breakthrough order for steam generator tubes for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) from Doosan, a major nuclear power facilities supplier. The tubes will be used in NuScale Power’s first 77 MWe carbon-free NuScale Power Modules, expected to be operational in 2029.
- Small Modular Reactors are the hope of the nuclear industry.
- The NuScale’s SMR is the first and only SMR to be certified by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
- These tubes will be installed in one of the first power plants featuring NuScale Power Modules.
Small Modular Reactors: The future hope of nuclear energy
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are compact, factory-built nuclear reactors that produce electricity on a smaller scale than traditional nuclear power plants. SMRs offer several advantages, including improved safety, reduced construction time, and lower capital costs. They also provide flexible energy solutions, as they can be easily integrated into existing power grids and used in conjunction with renewable energy sources. With the global push towards decarbonization and the need for reliable, low-carbon energy, SMRs are gaining traction as a promising solution to meet these demands. SMRs can be build in a factory and then installed on the site of the powerplant. This should reduce construction costs.
One of the key players in the SMR market is NuScale Power, a company that specializes in the development and commercialization of advanced nuclear technology. NuScale’s SMR design is based on proven pressurized water-cooled reactor technology and is the first and only SMR to be certified by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Their innovative design includes the NuScale Power Module (NPM), which is capable of generating 77 MWe of carbon-free electricity and can be used for various applications, such as electrical generation, district heating, desalination, commercial-scale hydrogen production, and other process heat applications.
Alleima’s Breakthrough Order for Steam Generator Tubes
The recent order placed by Doosan for approximately 200 kilometers of steam generator tubes marks a significant milestone for Alleima. These tubes will be installed in one of the first VOYGR™ SMR power plants, featuring NuScale Power Modules, and are expected to be operational in 2029. The order was booked in the second quarter of 2023, with deliveries scheduled for 2024.
Alleima’s steam generator tubes are made using advanced stainless steels and special alloys, which align with NuScale’s current SMR technology. This breakthrough order signifies Alleima’s position as a key player in the nuclear energy sector and sets the stage for future growth opportunities in the supply of steam generator tubes for SMRs. Nigel Haworth, Acting President of Alleima’s Tube division, stated, “Intensity in discussions regarding the supply of steam generator tubes for SMRs is increasing globally, and as a front runner in this field, we are in a good position for these future power projects”.
Global Commitment to Advance SMR Deployment
The global commitment to advance the deployment of SMRs is further exemplified by the Biden Administration’s announcement of a public-private commitment of up to $275 million to support the deployment of a NuScale Power Corporation SMR power plant in Romania. This project, backed by financial support from the United States, Japan, Republic of Korea, and United Arab Emirates, aims to help Romania meet its energy security and decarbonization goals with the deployment of a 462 MWe VOYGR-6 power plant.
The growing international support for NuScale’s SMR technology is also highlighted by the inauguration of the first international NuScale Energy Exploration Center (E2 Center) in Europe, established in collaboration with the U.S. and Romanian governments. Located at the University Politehnica of Bucharest, the E2 Center features an SMR simulator and serves as a workforce development tool for Nuclearelectrica and the Romanian nuclear workforce.
