3 Overview per technology of the small modular reactor projects being monitored by ASN and IRSN TABLE 2 SMR projects being studied Technology Project Power of one reactor (MWth) Target step in the short term Light water reactor Nuward 540 Industrial prototype Calogena 30 Sodium-cooled reactor Otrera 300 Hexana 400 High-temperature reactor Jimmy 20 Blue Capsule 150 Lead-cooled reactor Newcleo 90 Experimental reactor Molten salt reactor Naarea 20 Stellaria A few hundred kWth Thorizon 250 Industrial prototype The different types of SMR technologies in France Light water reactors • Solid uranium fuel • Water moderator • Water coolant Liquid metal reactors • Mixed uranium and plutonium oxide solid fuel (MOX-RNR) • No moderator • Liquid metal coolant (sodium, lead) High-temperature reactors • Solid uranium fuel (TRISO particles) • Graphite or heavy water moderator • Helium or sodium gas coolant Molten salt reactors • Liquid plutonium fuel in salt form • No moderator • Molten salt coolant Water reactors represent the vast majority of the reactors currently in operation around the world, whereas the other SMR technologies, which are already known and have been developed for many years, have so far generally only led to the construction of a few experimental or prototype reactors, with no industrial scale operation. In 2015, the Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) evaluated the maturity of these other reactor technologies and identified the needs for development of scientific and technical knowledge. IRSN had concluded that only sodium-cooled Fast Neutron Reactors (FNRs – such as the Phénix and Superphénix reactors which were operated in France) and High-Temperature gascooled Reactors (HTR) using graphite as a moderator, offered usable Operating Experience Feedback (OEF) for envisaging a transition to a possible industrial phase in the short term. This difference in the maturity of the various technologies notably means that some projects are beginning with an experimental reactor development phase before envisaging the development of an industrial prototype. Table 2 presents the list of the ten SMR projects currently being monitored by ASN and IRSN, ranked according to the degree of technological maturity of the reactor. Light water reactor Liquid metal reactor (sodium) Liquid metal reactor (lead) High-temperature reactor Molten salt reactor Level of industrial maturity of SMR technologies in France 328 ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2024 The emergence of small modular reactor projects
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