Opening of the 'i-SMR Simulator Center'... Accelerating the Development of Korean Small Modular Reactors

by Ju Sangdon

Published 23 Aug.2024 06:00(KST)

Utilization for Design Verification and Operation Training of Korean-Style SMR

The government opened the 'i-SMR Simulator Center' on the 23rd, which will be used for design verification and operational training of the innovative small modular reactor (i-SMR) aimed for technological development by 2028.

On this day, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power held the 'i-SMR Simulator Center and Smart Net Zero City Control Center Integrated Completion Ceremony' at the KHNP Central Research Institute in Daejeon.

i-SMR Simulator.

An official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy explained, "The i-SMR is a Korean-type SMR with a power generation capacity one-tenth that of large nuclear power plants (170 MW per module), with improved safety and operational flexibility. The government is currently proceeding with the standard design through the 'i-SMR Technology Development Project,' which began after the Nuclear Promotion Committee review in 2020 and the preliminary feasibility study in 2022, aiming for completion in 2028."

The newly completed i-SMR Simulator Center will be used to verify the optimal design and operational suitability of the SMR, train operators through emergency response drills conducted in a control room configured identically to the actual one, and check and enhance safety. Data derived from the simulator will play a key role not only in obtaining design approval for the i-SMR but also in the future licensing process required for actual operation.

At the completion ceremony, Choi Nam-ho, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, promised continuous government support such as demonstration support and commercialization infrastructure establishment for rapid commercialization, as SMRs were included for the first time in the 11th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand. Vice Minister Choi stated, "To leap forward as a leading SMR country, not only reactor type development but also thorough safety verification and human resource development are important. Active participation of related organizations, including KHNP, is necessary for design verification and operational training using the simulator."