The new energy world is full of ambition about future developments, not least nuclear. At some point hard questions have to be asked and answered. Dan Yurman is asking questions about next generation Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). For example, why take on the unknown material and regulatory risk of SMRs over the known risks of proven LWRs? Which governments and/or investors will back the $500m needed to get an SMR into production? Where are the multiple customers that bring essential economies of scale? There are plenty more. For competitive reasons, some firms will keep the answers to themselves, but investors and others, including suppliers, eventually will want to know what SMR developers are thinking. Let’s remember that sceptical questions are not meant to slow progress but speed it up with facts and an unbiased view of market realities.
Energy Post 18th April 2019 read more »
