Rolls-Royce SMR recently signed a $1.5 million contract with GSE Solutions to develop a power station simulator. This partnership is part of Rolls-Royce’s ongoing SMR (Small Modular Reactor) technology improvement program, which aims to finalize the second stage of the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) this summer.
The simulator developed by GSE Solutions will play a crucial role in Rolls-Royce SMR’s program to develop, verify and validate the performance and control systems of its unique, factory-built nuclear plant. This initiative is part of a wider development program designed to ensure the reliable nature of the plant. In addition, Rolls-Royce continues to develop its nuclear business abroad, as evidenced by their interest in sites in Finland and Sweden.
A strategic partnership
David Dodd, Rolls-Royce SMR Engineering Director, said, “The order for a simulation and test platform is another step towards the deployment of Rolls-Royce’s first SMR power plant. Working with GSE is part of our ‘digital-first’ methodology and modular approach to developing new nuclear power – a reliable source of energy.”
The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has confirmed that Rolls-Royce SMR is on track to complete the second stage of the GDA this summer, with the intention of moving straight on to the third and final stage. This progress in the assessment by the nuclear industry’s independent regulators (ONR, Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales) confirms Rolls-Royce SMR’s position as significantly ahead of any other SMR design in Europe.
Industrial and economic outlook
The Rolls-Royce SMR offers a different approach to nuclear power generation, based on proven technology. Each of the factory-built nuclear power plants will provide enough low-carbon electricity to power a million homes for over 60 years.
Ravi Khanna, President and CEO of GSE Solutions, said, “We are extremely proud to have been chosen by Rolls-Royce SMR to help them with their innovative engineering and technology platform. Our model development and simulation technology services are used by power plants around the world to prove design concepts and create training scenarios based on real-life situations and specific operational configurations.”
Financial and strategic issues
The Rolls-Royce SMR program is supported by £210 million of funding from the UK government, as part of Phase 2 of the Low-Cost Nuclear Challenge project, administered by UKRI, which has been matched by £280 million of private capital. The aim of this government support is to accelerate the design of Rolls-Royce’s SMR and to complete at least the second stage of the GDA regulatory process, carried out by the nuclear industry’s independent regulators (ONR, Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales).
This initiative marks a significant step forward for the UK in the global nuclear energy race. By integrating cutting-edge technologies and collaborating with strategic partners like GSE Solutions, Rolls-Royce SMR is positioning itself as a potential leader in the provision of sustainable energy solutions for decades to come.
