On February 27, 2011, Energy Now aired a segment that focused on small modular reactors, particularly the one being developed by NuScale in Corvallis, Oregon. I interviewed Jose Reyes and Paul Lorenzini about their project for Show #100 of The Atomic Show, way back on August 3, 2008.
As you watch this special, pay close attention to the points at which the reporter explains why he and his producers believe it will be a long time before there are small modular reactors operating in the United States. I assume they did not take the time to understand that there have been small modular reactors produced in the past – like the Army’s series of small reactors that were deployed to remote areas – and that there are reactors being produced in the US today that are both small and manufactured mainly in domestic factories.
There is no doubt that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, without pressure to change by people who recognize the importance of that change, will do what it does best in response to the growing interest in SMRs. It will slowly, methodically, and unpredictably. It evaluate every single possible aspect of the designs, ask a ton of questions, lose track of some of the answers, ask more questions, open up the process to legal hearings and testimony by any intervenor who can establish standing, and eventually ensure that inpatient suppliers of financial resources find more productive investments.
Disclosure: I work for a small modular reactor project – not the one featured by Energy Now. I am betting my future on the belief that changing the current regulatory structure is not only possible, but probable. All we need to do is continue to raise awareness of how much the current situation is hurting all of the Americans who do not sell competitive energy products.
I noticed, in the video, at 6:50, there is about a 3-second clip of video depicting what looks like some kind of control or monitoring panel for the reactor, and it looks like the Monitors are displaying a Microsoft Windows Logo Screensaver.
So, I have to ask the engineers here: is Windows *really* considered robust and secure enough for running nuclear reactors? That kind of blows my mind – I really don’t think I’d trust Windows to run a reactor. . .
That looks like the control panel for the non-nuclear experimental facilities at Oregon State University that is being used to support NuScale development.
He expects three years for the NRC to review? THREE YEARS! What are they doing over their, engaging in marathon sessions of Free Cell? And what’s with the lady from Physicians for Blah Blah whatever? “If you ask people if they want a nuclear power plant next to their house…” Of course no one wants one next to their house. I don’t want a chrome plating business next to my house either, but they’re fine in an industrial park. At least they didn’t have anyone from the Union of Concerned [we’re not really] Scientists.