NRG PALLAS maps potential for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in Brabant
Commissioned by the Province of Brabant, NRG PALLAS has conducted a study into the possibilities for integrating Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) within the province.
To determine where in Brabant an SMR could deliver added value to the energy system, the following factors were examined:
- Cooling potential: Where is water available to discharge residual heat from an SMR?
- Integrable SMR capacity: Where is the energy demand from industrial estates located?
- Constraints: Are there environmental factors that rule out SMR integration in advance (such as residential centres and Natura 2000 areas)?
- Added values: Which environmental factors make SMR integration more promising (such as high-voltage connections and heat networks)?
- The report’s conclusions are:
Within the province of North Brabant, the greatest opportunities for cooling are found along the major rivers in the north. Canals and smaller rivers scattered throughout the province offer significantly less cooling potential. Air cooling is also possible in some locations, whether or not in combination with other existing water bodies. - From a technical standpoint, limited cooling potential is not an obstacle to discharging residual heat. However, the use of cooling techniques other than direct water cooling (once-through cooling) involves a loss of efficiency.
- From a techno-economic perspective, the general premises are:
- Large SMRs should preferably be located along the major rivers;
- Smaller SMRs can be integrated anywhere, utilising water for cooling where possible.
- The utilisation of residual heat (for heat networks, for example) can reduce the cooling requirement of an SMR (making it potentially more economically attractive).
- Almost all industrial estates in North Brabant, whether individual or clustered, can be supplied with energy by low-capacity SMRs (< 200 MWth). Specific energy clusters with higher energy demand are the sites at Theodorushaven and Veghel (200 - 750 MWth), and the industrial estate at Moerdijk (> 750 MWth).
Based on the technical characteristics of an SMR, integration on Brabant territory is possible in many areas, with cooling and energy demand taken as the primary starting points.
In a subsequent phase, policy and economic aspects can be addressed, such as spatial planning challenges and business cases. Additionally, it will be necessary to examine which developments are taking place at the national level that may influence Brabant's choices.
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Report Exploration of SMR Integration in the Province of North Brabant
