Small Modular Reactors Several Small Modular Reactors (SMR) projects are currently being developed around the world. These are reactors with a power of less than 300 MWe, built mainly in a factory. They use a variety of technologies: that of the PWRs or advanced technologies (hightemperature, molten salt, fast neutron, etc. reactors). The characteristics of the SMR, in particular their low power and compactness, contribute to their safety. ASN considers that the designers should take advantage of these characteristics to propose reactors aiming for more ambitious safety objectives than the existing high-power reactors. In 2022, ASN continued exchanges with several French companies developing SMRs, in order to familiarise itself with the technical characteristics of these projects, present the applicable regulatory framework and clarify the technical elements needed in order to begin discussions in greater depth. The degree of progress of these projects varies. ASN is also participating in international SMR working groups. Within this framework, it is holding discussions with its foreign counterparts in order to promote the definition of ambitious international baseline requirements, share its practices and benefit from OEF from its counterparts. PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF THE MAIN SAFETY OPTIONS OF THE NUWARD PROJECT Nuward is a pressurised water SMR developed by EDF and its partners (Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission – CEA, Naval Group, TechnicAtome, Framatome and Tractebel), consisting of two modules of 170 MWe each, housed in the same building. In the first quarter of 2022, ASN and its Czech and Finnish counterparts, with the support of IRSN, conducted a preliminary assessment of the main safety options for the Nuward project. This initiative should notably be able to use a concrete case to examine the safety issues raised by the small modular reactors. It is also an opportunity for the regulators to use a concrete case to discuss their approaches and the national implementation of safety requirements. The conclusions of this preliminary assessment will be shared with its counterparts within the framework of the ongoing international work being done on SMR. 316 ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2022 • 10 • The EDF Nuclear Power Plants 10
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