Small, water-cooled nuclear reactor with a 30 MW capacity may be introduced in a French urban area for sustainable energy production.
Calogena, a French company, is making strides in the nuclear energy sector with its innovative water-cooled small modular reactor (SMR), the CAL30. The CAL30 SMR, designed for clean energy production, is being evaluated by the French Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority (ASNR).
The CAL30 SMR is intended for the supply of urban heating networks with carbon-free energy, with a potential deployment as early as 2030. The reactor, capable of load following according to the needs of the network, and of ramping up quickly, operates at low pressure (6 bars) and low temperature (100 °C).
The design of the CAL30 SMR is derived from pool-type research reactors that have been in service for decades. Its simplicity and safety are highlighted by the direct use of heat and the very limited number of auxiliary systems, making it a more straightforward alternative to conventional reactors.
Refueling of a CAL30 SMR module requires just one lorry every two years, a significant reduction compared to the daily needs of a wood-fired solution. The CAL30 SMR uses the same fuel as conventional reactors, but in a shortened form.
Calogena has signed a letter of intent with the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) for the potential deployment of the CAL30 SMR. The CAL30 SMR will be deployed at a selected area in the Cadarache site, a technological research and development centre for energy.
The CAL30 SMR's potential deployment comes as part of Calogena's exploration of clean energy solutions. A Calogena module would have a very limited footprint: 3,000 m2 for the land and less than 1,000 m2 for the buildings.
The CAL30 SMR is one of four designs being evaluated by ASNR. Blue Capsule and Naarea are in step 2, while Jimmy is in step 4. The evaluation process is an important step towards the potential deployment of the CAL30 SMR, with the company Kairos Power, the developer and marketer of the CAL30, eagerly awaiting the results.
The CAL30 SMR does not need a major water or electricity supply, making it an attractive option for areas that may not have access to these resources. As the world continues to seek sustainable and reliable energy solutions, the CAL30 SMR could play a significant role in meeting these needs.
