Russia holds technological edge in SMR fuel recycling,  expert says

ArmInfo. Russia is the only country  with its own proven technology for reprocessing irradiated nuclear fuel among those with practical experience in small modular reactors (SMRs).  Boris Martsinkevich, editor-in-chief of the analytical journal GeoEnergetika Info, made this statement  during a Moscow-Yerevan-Minsk-Tashkent-Sukhumi video conference on "Current Energy Issues," while addressing a question from ArmInfo.

The expert noted that  a total of 80 SMR  projects exist  worldwide,  and only two are currently operational:  the Akademik Lomonosov  floating nuclear power plant (in Pevek, Russia) and the HTR-PM small  modular reactor in China, which is the first and experimental project  (in Shandong Province). According to Martsinkevich, construction is  currently underway in Yakutia on a 55 MW Ritm-200N SMR nuclear power  plant, a technology already proven on the latest generation of  nuclear icebreakers, andt the land-based version is being built in  Yakutia. Construction of the Ritm-200N SMR is scheduled to begin in  Uzbekistan in March of this year.  "I don't want to criticize the  Chinese project. I'll simply remind you that China still hasn't  developed its own technology for reprocessing irradiated nuclear  fuel, while Russia does. Rosatom's standard construction contracts  typically include both fuel supply and guaranteed reprocessing of  spent nuclear fuel," the expert said. Regarding cooperation with the  United States, Martsinkevich noted that this is impossible, as  American legislation itself prohibits it. "China promises to master  the technology. They were supposed to launch the first pilot  production line in December, but I haven't yet seen in the open press  whether they've succeeded," the editor-in-chief of GeoEnergetika Info  said.

When addressing Armenia's energy future, the expert noted that the  country's high seismic activity will impose strict regulatory demands  on any new nuclear project. Furthermore, he argued against the  installation of large-scale (gigawatt-class) reactors. "The reactor  operates at a single capacity. If you install a gigawatt reactor, how  will you regulate it? You'll have to do something else, and the  project will only become more expensive," he noted.  In response to a  question about the economic viability of small reactors, the expert  noted that such a review should be conducted by a country wishing to  implement small modular reactors. "This is absolutely obvious; no one  will do it for you. Because who better than Armenia itself can assess  whether it needs this or whether it would be better to abstain,"  Martsinkevich said.

Recall, three years ago, Maria Longhi, coordinator of US government  assistance programs for Europe and Eurasia, reported that the US was  considering the construction of small modular nuclear reactors in  Armenia. "The United States is considering the construction of small  modular nuclear reactors in Armenia and other Eurasian states,  seeking to strengthen their energy independence," Longhi noted. She  added that in several countries, including Armenia, the US is  evaluating the possibility of creating small modular nuclear reactors  using American technology, which could lead to greater energy  independence from both Russia and China.

A day earlier, at a press conference, RA Minister of Territorial  Administration and Infrastructure David Khudatyan announced that  Armenia was considering SMR models proposed by Russia, the US, China,  South Korea, and France. He noted that the country's authorities  intend to take their time when selecting an SMR nuclear power plant.  The final selection of the model, and consequently, the country of  manufacture, will be made in 1-1.5 years. 

Recall, the nuclear power plant operating in Armenia was supposed to  be decommissioned in 2016, but its service life was extended until  2026. Authorities have since decided to further extend the service  life of Unit 2  until 2036. By that date, the country must have a  constructed nuclear power plant with one or more small modular  reactors.