TVA Moves Ahead on Small Nuclear Reactor Design

Image via the Nuclear Regulatory Commission

The Tennessee Valley Authority is taking steps toward building the country’s first small modular nuclear reactor in Oak Ridge. It would produce about a sixth the power of a typical large reactor.

The idea is a smaller version could use more parts built in factories and shipped to the plant site. And TVA says doing it underground could also make it safer and more secure. Senator Lamar Alexander has championed the concept.

On Wednesday TVA announced a deal to move ahead with plant builder Babcock and Wilcox, and the two will seek approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

It’s not clear how much it will all cost, but the U.S. Department of Energy is paying for much of the design process and wants a commercial demonstration of a small reactor ready in the next decade.