Title: Analysis of Hampton Roads Area and other High Federal Energy Clusters for SMR Siting
Completion Date: August 2014
Objective: Using industry-accepted practices in screening sites and employing an array of data sources and computational capabilities including geographical information systems (GIS), identify clusters of federal sector high-energy use around the U.S. and evaluate future electrical generation deployment options for several of these sites at a high level, and at a detailed level for the Hampton Roads, Virginia metropolitan area.
Result: Identified the top federal energy use clusters nation-wide, evaluated in detail candidate sites around Hampton Roads Area and conducted a sensitivity analysis on reducing Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) radii by varying parameters of interest.
Product Reports:
Identification of Selected Areas to Support Federal Clean Energy Goals Using Small Modular Reactors
Impact: The NRC will be informed by the EPZ sensitivity analysis when undertaking the question of appropriately sized EPZs for SMRs. Additionally, evaluating the feasibility of siting SMRs in locations that are not available for existing large plant designs will have a positive impact on the viewpoint of potential customers and to improve the overall commercialization outlook.
Title: Analysis of Small Modular Reactors Suitability for Air Force Space Command Installations
Completion Date: April 2016
Objective: This study identified unique requirements for placement of an SMR on Air Force Space Command installations in Colorado, identified future actions required to facilitate deployment of SMRs on Department of Defense (DoD) sites from the government as well as from potential partnerships with utilities/operators of such an SMR, and contributes to an understanding of the market potential for broad federal installation.
Result: Provides the Air Force an economic and environmental basis for the potential use of SMRs to meet mission critical energy security and greenhouse reduction goals.
Impact: This study can be used to inform energy choices for the DoD, as well as other federal installations with mission critical facilities, when considering sustainability, energy independence, and energy reliability.
Status: Sandia National Lab evaluated candidate AFSPC bases and stations and downselected to 2 locations for detailed study. DOE has provided access to the ORNL ORSAGE tool for use in generating siting analysis reports to examine the AFSPC sites. The final report was issued March 2016.
Oak Ridge Analysis for Power Generation Expansion (OR-SAGE)
Title: Preliminary Study to Investigate the Feasibility of Deploying a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Nuclear Power Plant in the State of New Mexico (January 2017)
Objective: Provide a comprehensive initial assessment of the potential feasibility of developing an SMR nuclear power plant in the State of New Mexico.
Result: The report, commissioned by the New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD), discusses the benefits of SMRs to New Mexico, such as supporting the power needs of the large Federal facility presence in New Mexico to meet established targets for decreasing reliance on fossil fuels. It addresses the significant economic impact associated with construction, operation, anticipated tax revenue, and the economic “multiplier effect” created by the deployment of a plant. The report also identifies areas of the state that are potentially suitable for deployment of SMR power plants.
Impact: The report highlights opportunities for further study and provides data on areas of the state that are fundamentally suitable, due to various known conditions, for potential siting of a SMR. New Mexico ENMRD plans to enter into a more comprehensive State of New Mexico Energy Roadmap development process for the future of energy production, distribution, efficiency and usage. This SMR prefeasibility siting study will be a significant input to this road mapping effort, as well as helping DOE to identify focus areas for further national program investment on SMR deployment.