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A Net-Zero Future.
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i-SMR leads future energy business and contributes to carbon neutrality with eco-friendly energy.

About SMR

i-SMR provides safe and eco-friendly energy with abundant human resources and technology through various experiences.

Experienced Energy Solutions Provider

Carbon-free energy is attracting attention to achieve carbon neutrality and respond to the global climate crisis. As Korea accelerates the transition to clean energy under the policy of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030, KHNP has been preparing for the future as Korea's representative K-energy company and partner.
Korea’s proven zero-carbon energy technology and operational capabilities are It is now providing new strength to countries around the world considering carbon-free energy. Based on the technology and capabilities we have accumulated over decades, we are introducing safer, more economical, and more flexible nuclear energy.

Energy Transition Game-Changer

Nuclear power is attracting attention as a clean energy source that can replace aging coal-fired power plants, which is one of the issues that must be urgently addressed for carbon neutrality. i-SMR is the optimal alternative to lead the transition to eco-friendly energy by applying the capacity of coal-fired power plants into consideration from the concept design stage, aiming for world-class safety, economic efficiency at the level of large nuclear power plants, and flexibility for flexible operation. As evidenced by the case of K-Nuclear Power Plant successfully supporting the use of clean energy in the UAE, KHNP and Team Korea's technological and business management capabilities will be the driving force behind the successful development of i-SMR, a game changer in eco-friendly energy conversion.

Net-Zero Future Builder

Due to the global crisis caused by climate change, sustainable urban development is emerging as a key task. KHNP dreams of a city where carbon neutrality and sustainable growth are achieved simultaneously through i-SMR-based net zero city. SSNC is an energy innovation platform that measures sustainable growth of cities through I-SMR-based net-zero energy and industrial competitiveness innovation, It is the CF100 energy mix model that will accelerate the realization of carbon neutrality through efficient urban energy production and utilization. The use of stable distributed power sources centered on highly economical i-SMR reduces energy consumption costs by 30% compared to regular cities, while solving the climate crisis caused by excessive resource consumption and environmental destruction by harmonizing with renewable energy. SSNC, drawing the future of the global net zero era through the present.

Capabilities to Complete on Time, within Budget

The majority of the new-build nuclear projects currently being constructed around the world are being delayed in completion due to a myriad of problems, including first-of-a-kind design issues, faulty materials and equipment, construction quality defects, insufficient early stage design, failure to meet license requirement and weak project management capability. As a result, in some cases, delay has prolonged up to 9 years comparing to the initial plan that incurred huge amount of additional construct costs. Korea has continuously conducted multiple types of NPP project in a repeated manner mostly without delay and cost overrun. In addition, current projects in UAE are successfully underway in accordance with initially contracted process in contrast to overseas NPP construction project executed by other suppliers in

Excellent and Abundant NPP Experience and Capability

Over the long period of 40 years, Korea has robustly implemented both domestic (30units) and UAE (4 units) NPP projects. So far, it has seamlessly operated the top-notch NPPS in the world by securing diverse technology organizations and reflecting the improvements learned from its previous project operations. In Korea, KHNP has executed NPP projects under its overall control ranged from planning, selection of applicable technology, engineering, to quality control. This is possible with continuous and intertwined coordination between KHNP and its partner companies which have ample experience and in-depth expertise

Abundance of Skilled Manpower

One of the key to succeed in a project is maintaining sufficient manpower experienced in nuclear power project. In every field of nuclear power project, Korea has secured plenty of skilled experts who can readily put into a new project. The number of engineers is enough to construct as many as 14 units at the same time.
In particular, thanks to repeated NPP construction works, Korea holds a broad labor pool ranged from machinery, electricity, instrumentation/control, tube, civil to quality test that played as a great advantage for the successful i-SMR project.

Evolution history of Korean Nuclear Technology

SMR Resources

Check out the various news from i-SMR, which provides eco-friendly energy with safe technology.

News

[2024.11.06.] KHNP Participates in '2024 World Smart City Expo'

- 'i-SMR & SSNC' unveiled in Barcelona, ​​Spain -    (innovative Small Modular Reactor & SMR Smart Net-zero City)  Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP; President & CEO Jooho Whang) is participating in the '2024 Smart City Expo World Congress' held in Barcelona, ​​Spain from the 5th to the 7th (local time) to showcase a new technology to the world.  Through its participation in this Expo, KHNP is emphasizing the excellence of innovative small modular reactor (i-SMR) and Smart Net Zero City (SSNC), a carbon-neutral city based on i-SMR, and is publicizing the value of nuclear power as a solution for carbon neutrality. The World Smart City Expo, now in its 14th year, is recognized as the world's most authoritative exhibition in the field of smart cities and sustainable urban development, with major cities, technology companies, and experts from around the world participating. Every year, over 800 cities and 700 organizations from over 140 countries gather to discuss and share the latest technologies and innovative solutions for building smart cities, and it is considered the most credible platform within the industry. It is explained that introducing KHNP's technology and vision on such an international stage is all the more meaningful. Jooho Whang, President & CEO of KHNP, said, “Through this Expo, we will show that SSNC is a solution that can realize the vision of a sustainable city for the next generation through innovative convergence, and we will lead this vision based on Korea’s excellent nuclear power technology and cooperation with global partners.” 

2024.11.12

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News

[2024.08.23.] KHNP Launches i-SMR-Based SSNC Control and Simulator Centers with the MOTIE

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP; President & CEO Jooho Whang) held a launching ceremony for the i-SMR SSNC Control and Simulator Centers on Friday, August 23 at KHNP’s Central Research Institute in Daejeon. * Smart Net-Zero City (SSNC, i-SMR Smart Net-zero City) is a future-oriented, energy self-sufficient city that supplies clean energy to urban areas using i-SMR in conjunction with renewable energy sources.The Control Center is an integrated platform facility that leverages advanced technologies such as AI and ICT for the operation of SSNC. The Simulator Center is designed to validate the optimal design and operational suitability of i-SMR, which serves various purposes, including assessing three-person operation suitability, human factors evaluation, and training for operators.The ceremony was attended by over 70 participants, including the 2nd Vice Minister Nam-ho Choe of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy (MOTIE), Sang-hyup Kim, Chair of the Presidential Commission on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth, as well as key representatives from industry, academia, and local municipalities. Technological demonstrations were performed at the event, including SSNC’s optimal energy operation, an SSNC city model experience, and global i-SMR technology support.   The 2nd Vice Minister Choe stated at the ceremony, “The launching of the i-SMR SSNC Control and Simulator Centers marks a significant step towards the development of a future-oriented energy city for carbon neutrality. Moving forward, the government will provide unwavering policy support to ensure that SMR technology improves Korea’s energy self-sufficiency and becomes a foundation for overseas exports.”   KHNP CEO Whang said, “There is significant interest from local governments, such as Daegu, in the i-SMR technology that KHNP is developing. We will make every effort to supply affordable energy to the public through the i-SMR-based SSNC and contribute to achieving the goal of carbon-neutral cities.” 

2024.09.05

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News

[2024.06.28.] KHNP Builds Simulator to Test i-SMR Operations

- Plans to use the simulator as test equipment for design and operation suitability -  On June 28, the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (KHNP; President & CEO, Joo-ho Whang) completed building the early version of the simulator that tests the operation suitability of the “innovative small modular reactor (i-SMR)” in its Central Research Institute.  i-SMR, a Korean-style small modular reactor, has been equipped with a technology that reduced the generation capacity of massive nuclear power plants with capacities above 1,000 MW to 170 MW and a modularized production technique. i-SMR features a significant reduction of construction time with drastically enhanced safety based on the design in which the safety facility, which cools the nuclear reactor in accidents, operates by itself without any control or power source.KHNP aims to use the simulator to test i-SMR’s design and operational suitability with plans to apply the test results drawn from the simulator’s sessions to the standard design process. The latest development is the initial version applied with i-SMR’s conceptual design and basic design; KHNP’s goal is to keep updating additional designs to finalize the first development stage by September 2025.   i-SMR’s conceptual design and basic design was completed at the end of last year, and its standard design will be finalized by December 2025. Updates will roll out after 2025 to apply the standard design to the simulator; KHNP is adding momentum to the development process to build the simulator by the first half of 2027. KHNP plans to utilize the simulator after its establishment to continuously conduct operation suitability tests for i-SMR standard designs and harness the test results as additional data for standard design approvals.  Hocheol Shin, the Head of Central Research Institute, commented, “We aim to gain approval for the i-SMR standard design. To do so, we will do all we can to focus all our simulator development experiences regarding large-scale nuclear power plants and the capabilities of KHNP’s research staff.”

2024.09.05

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Research

Innovative SMR, technology development anchor raised... 43 organizations, 150 billion R&D distributed

‘i-SMR Business Group’ headquarters established at Daejeon Science CenterResearchers at Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, and KEPCO Fuel begin SMR designThe goal is to complete the design by the end of 25 years and obtain standard design approval by the end of 28 years.​Domestic researchers have launched an all-out effort to develop an ‘innovative small modular nuclear reactor’ (i-SMR). i-SMR is a project that will invest a total of 399.2 billion won over six years from this year to 2028, and the government distributed an R&D (research and development) project worth 150 billion won to 43 nuclear research institutes and companies this year. The researchers intend to lead the global SMR market in the 2030s by obtaining standard design approval by 2028.According to the scientific community on the 23rd, the i-SMR Technology Development Division (hereinafter referred to as the i-SMR Division) recently established a headquarters on the 13th floor of the Science Center in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon and distributed 11 R&D projects to 43 organizations. The total business size is approximately 150 billion won. Currently, about 30 people reside in the i-SMR business headquarters, including full-time i-SMR employees and dispatched personnel from R&D participating organizations.SMR is a nuclear reactor with an electrical output of 300 MW (megawatts) or less. Unlike large nuclear power plants, major equipment such as the reactor, steam generator, coolant pump, and pressurizer are integrated. Multiple modules can be bundled together and can be installed in the city or out of town. Although SMR produces a small amount of spent nuclear fuel, it is evaluated as the most realistic means of responding to climate change as a carbon-free energy source.For this reason, countries around the world, including Korea, the United States, China, and Europe, are developing about 80 SMRs. According to the U.S. nuclear power competitiveness recovery strategy report, the global nuclear power plant market in the 2030s will amount to $500 billion to $740 billion (KRW 570 trillion to KRW 840 trillion). Accordingly, the government launched the i-SMR industry-academic dream team and began technology development this year.The i-SMR business group began the R&D project that forms the basis of the nuclear reactor this year. The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute has begun developing technologies such as △thermal hydraulic power verification △multipurpose high-precision measurement system △3D reactor core verification platform. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power has started developing serious accident comprehensive analysis and evaluation technology, and Hyosung Heavy Industries has started developing a built-in reactor coolant pump. KEPCO Nuclear Fuel was responsible for developing nuclear fuel, control rod assembly, and integrated flammable absorber rod.In the future, researchers plan to develop a 170 MW (megawatt) nuclear reactor and connect four modules to achieve a total electrical output of 680 MW. In particular, the 'passive safety system', which can cool the inside of a nuclear power plant through natural phenomena such as gravity without human intervention, is applied to i-SMR, ensuring high safety. Additionally, since boric acid is not used as before when adjusting electrical output, the amount of radioactive waste generated is significantly reduced.The i-SMR project group plans to complete the nuclear reactor design by the end of 2025 and obtain standard design approval in 2028. Standard design approval is a certification given when safety is secured by simulating various accidents that may occur in a nuclear reactor. Once this certification is granted, SMRs can be built and operated anywhere in the world.Kim Han-gon, head of the i-SMR business unit, said, "We started designing i-SMR this year, and we will increase the number of participating organizations to about 60 by next year to develop innovative technologies that maximize safety and economic efficiency. Through this, we will obtain standard design approval by 2028. “We will lay the foundation for pioneering overseas markets in the 2030s,” he said.

2023.11.16

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Research

Swedish Industry and Trade Committee visit to the National Assembly... KHNP 'expects' to export iSMR

Meeting with Reps. Lee In-seon, Choi Hyeong-du, Noh Yong-ho, Lee Jae-jeong, and Kim Han-jeongChairman Tobias Anderson: “Looking forward to nuclear power plant cooperation with Korea” [Daily Korea Reporter Ahn Hee-min] While Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power is seeking to win an order for a small modular nuclear power plant (SMR) in Sweden, a delegation from the Swedish Industry and Trade Commission is attracting attention by visiting Korea. Rep. Lee In-seon, who met them at the National Assembly, actively promoted SMR marketing.People Power Party lawmaker Lee In-seon's office announced on the 28th that it had a meeting with Tobias Anderson, chairman of the Swedish Industry and Trade Commission, at the National Assembly. At the meeting, Rep. Lee requested support at the National Assembly level so that Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power could win the Swedish SMR project.KHNP plans to submit a letter of intent to bid for SMR Construction in Sweden by mid-September. To this end, an ‘innovative SMR commercialization organization’ has been established and is currently active. In January of this year, a letter of intent to participate in the Swedish SMR construction project was submitted, and preliminary screening data was submitted in May. In June, it passed the preliminary screening by Vattenfall, the Swedish state-run electric power company, and is now pending full-scale bidding screening.The Swedish SMR construction project targets the light water reactor SMR type, and the innovative SMR (iSMR) that Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power is developing is this type.Competitors for the Swedish SMR construction bid include Rolls-Royce SMR's UK-SMR and Westinghouse's AP300, showing that KHNP's bid this time is not easy.This is why Rep. Lee brought iSMR to the attention of Chairman Tobias Anderson and his group. In attendance were Lee Woo-neo, National Assembly Industrial and Self-Government Committee Chairman Lee Jae-jeong, Secretary Kim Han-jeong, Representative Choi Hyeong-du, and Noh Yong-ho.Lawmakers from both countries exchanged pleasantries about energy, electric vehicles, batteries, and the military industry, but the biggest concern was the energy mix due to the climate crisis. Sweden, which has a high-level radiation field, plans to build at least 10 nuclear reactors over the next 20 years and is known to be particularly interested in SMR.Chairman Tobias Anderson said, “Sweden, which has radioactive waste treatment facilities for nuclear power plants, will expand nuclear power plants to overcome the climate crisis,” and added, “We look forward to cooperation with Korea.”In response, Representative Lee In-seon said, “KHNP can be the most suitable and ideal partner for the Swedish SMR construction project,” and added, “We ask for active support and interest at the National Assembly level.”

2023.11.14

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Research

[Interview] Kim Han-gon, head of iSMR, “We aim to complete the design in 2025 with purely domestic technology”

Launch of iSMR Technology Development Business Team..."Exclusion of US technology from the beginning to block export controls in advance." [Daily Korea Reporter Ahn Hee-min] The journey toward developing Korean-style small nuclear power plant module iSMR has begun. On the 10th, I met with Kim Han-gon, head of the Innovative Small Module Reactor Technology Development Division, who will lead the technology development of iSMR, whose design will be completed in 2025. Director Kim Han-gon said that he would place the highest priority on securing ‘safety’ in the development of iSMR. This is because safety must be ensured to facilitate acceptance by residents and export. iSMR stands for innovative small module reactor and is called ‘innovative small module nuclear power plant’. Director Kim said, “The most important thing about iSMR is to prevent accidents,” and added, “We need to properly explain this to the public so that they can accept it with confidence in any region.” According to Director Kim, the goal for iSMR is to complete the design by the end of 2025 and receive standard design approval in 2028. If the iSMR is judged to have a high level of completeness, construction will begin before standard design approval to accelerate the completion date. He said, “If we receive permits and prepare for construction from the time the iSMR is completed, it may be too late,” and added, “Once the operator determines that they can obtain permits, we will prepare for construction.” He continued, “By the next year (2025), the outline of where and how the first iSMR unit will be installed will be revealed.” Director Kim is able to present a blueprint from iSMR design to completion because he has 30 years of experience in nuclear power plant design, including APR-1400, a large Korean nuclear power plant. Although there are problems with commercialization, the experience of participating in the smart nuclear power plant development project, which is the origin of iSMR, is also taking a backseat. He said, “It started under the previous government and has received support from both the ruling and opposition parties, and when I saw the announcement for the head of the iSMR project jointly developed by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Trade, “I applied because I thought it would be better,” he said. He continued, “The smart nuclear power plant is an integrated nuclear reactor that received standard design approval for the first time in the world in 2011. “It is a well-made nuclear power plant with the technology of the time, but I wish the technology had been applied now,” he explained. “The world is accepting iSMR because iSMR can replace coal power generation and perform things that large nuclear power plants cannot.” Director Kim said that, unlike large nuclear power plants, we are keeping in mind from the beginning that iSMR is not subject to U.S. export controls. He said, “In the case of large nuclear power plants, we decided to follow US export controls in accordance with the Korea-US Nuclear Energy Agreement, but ISMR is developed independently without such an agreement, so it does not have the restrictions that large nuclear power plants have.” He added, “The iSMR Technology Development Project Group uses American technology. “We always check at the beginning to avoid doing this,” he explained. At the launch ceremony on the 10th, Director Kim also mentioned Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kang Kyung-seong's order to expedite standard design approval. He said, “The three years between completing the iSMR design and receiving standard design approval are purely a matter between the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (hereinafter referred to as the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission) and the business operator.” He added, “Because the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission is a regulatory agency that determines safety, the timing of standard design approval is without any basis.” cannot be brought forward. “In order to accelerate that time, we need to increase the safety and completeness of iSMR, and in that sense, we are taking this to mean further improving safety and completeness.” In response to the criticism that iSMR's schedule is later than that of the U.S. NuScale, which proposed a commercialization schedule of 2026, Director Kim responded, "NewScale is not a competitor." He said, “Because the global SMR market is so large, I don’t think it is a big problem that the U.S. NuScale developed it 2-3 years earlier than Korea. Rather, it is important that NuScale succeeds.” He said, “The awareness that SMR works will only spread if the previous product succeeds properly,” and added, “If Newscale’s SMR development is delayed or fails, Korea will also be affected.” Director Kim also spoke about harmony between SMR and renewable energy. He said, “The only power sources that do not emit carbon are renewable energy and nuclear power. In the case of solar power, electricity is produced during the day, but there is a gap in the morning and evening, and I think SMR can fill this gap.” He added, “Currently, natural gas power generation makes up for the gap in solar power, but natural gas emits greenhouse gases and is not an alternative.” Director Kim expressed confidence in the development of iSMR, saying, “Korea is a country with the potential to never rest in the development of nuclear technology for the past 30 years. With this experience as the foundation and the National Assembly has promised to support it, I think the development of iSMR is fully possible.”

2023.11.13

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