The Innovative Small Modular Reactor (i-SMR) Development Agency (led by President Han Gon Kim) announced today that it has officially submitted the application for Standard Design Approval (SDA) for the i-SMR to the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) of Korea.

This submission marks South Korea’s formal entry into the licensing phase to secure global competitiveness in the next-generation Small Modular Reactor (SMR) market.

The SDA is a crucial regulatory step that simplifies the licensing process for constructing multiple units of the same design. Once the i-SMR obtains this approval, it will be "Ready for Market," enabling immediate commercialization and export.

"The i-SMR was developed with a 'Safety & Economy First' principle from the initial design stage," said Dr. Han Gon Kim, President of the i-SMR Development Agency. "This application is a major milestone for our technology to reach the global stage. We aim to lead the SMR export market in the 2030s through rigorous verification and response to the regulatory review."

The agency collaborated with over 40 research institutes, universities, and industrial partners to complete the standard design. The goal is to have the first i-SMR plant operational by 2035 in Korea.

Technical Features of i-SMR

The i-SMR is an 170 MWe integral type reactor, based on proven PWR technology, that incorporates all major components—including the core, steam generators, and pressurizer—into a single reactor vessel. This integrated design inherently eliminates the risk of Large Break Loss of Coolant Accidents (LB-LOCA), a significant safety advancement over traditional loop-type reactors.

Key technical highlights of the 170 MWe module include:

-  Fully Passive Safety Systems: Operates without the need for external power or operator intervention during emergencies.

-  Enhanced Operational Flexibility: Optimized for load-following to support stable grid integration with intermittent renewable energy sources.

-  Modular Construction: Designed for factory-based manufacturing to ensure high quality and reduced on-site construction timelines.