‘i-SMR Business Group’ headquarters established at Daejeon Science Center

Researchers at Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, and KEPCO Fuel begin SMR design

The 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.