Context:
China launched world’s first fourth-generation nuclear reactor.
News Highlights:
- Location – Shandong province
- Coolant used – Gas (Helium) [pressurised water in conventional power plants]
- It can produce heat, power, and hydrogen
- Uses a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) design.
About Small Modular Reactor:
- Advanced nuclear reactors with power capacity of up to 300 MW(e) [Megawatt electric] per unit.
- Small – physically a fraction of the size of a conventional nuclear power reactor.
- Modular – making it possible for systems and components to be factory-assembled and transported as a unit to a location for installation.
- Reactors – harnessing nuclear fission to generate heat to produce energy.
- Advantages over traditional reactors –
- Prefabricated units of SMRs can be manufactured and then shipped and installed on site.
- SMRs can be sited on locations not suitable for larger nuclear power plants.
- Low cost and construction time
- Simpler and Safer due to reduced fuel requirements.
- They can be deployed incrementally to match increasing energy demand.
- Have increased safety and lower impacts in case of accidents
- IAEA has established the Platform on SMRs and their Applications, a one-stop shop for countries to coordinate support related to all aspects of SMR development.
| Micro reactors | Small Modular Reactor | Conventional Nuclear Reactors | |
| Power Capacity | Fewer than 10 MW (e) | Up to 300 MW (e) | 700+ MW (e) |
| Refuelling | Years without refuelling | Every 3 to 7 years | 1 and 2 years |
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), more than 70 SMR concepts are currently under development in 18 countries.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA):
- Set up as world’s Atoms for Peace organization in 1957 within United Nations.
- International centre for cooperation in the nuclear field.
- Membership – 175 member states [India is a founding member]
- Headquarters – Vienna, Austria
- Mandate –
- Maximize contribution of nuclear technology to society while verifying its peaceful use.
- Promotes exchange of scientific and technical information among Member States.
- Other key information –
- Policy-making bodies: Board of Governors and annual General Conference of IAEA Member States.
- Under Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), IAEA has a specific role as international safeguards inspectorate.
Source: Hindustan Times
Previous Year Question
In India, why are some nuclear reactors kept under “IAEA safeguards” while others are not?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]
(a) Some use uranium and others use thorium
(b) Some use imported uranium and others use domestic supplies
(c) Some are operated by foreign enterprises and others are operated by domestic enterprises
(d) Some are State-owned and others are privately-owned
Answer: (b)
