Ansys Simulation Aids NuScale in Developing First-Ever Approved SMR

Ansys Simulation Aids NuScale in Developing First-Ever Approved SMR
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 28, 2023

NuScale Power (NYSE: SMR), a pioneer in nuclear technology, has achieved a significant milestone by integrating Ansys (NASDAQ: ANSS) simulation solutions in the design of its Small Modular Reactor (SMR), the NuScale Power Module (NPM). This collaboration marks the first time an SMR has been approved by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), setting a new precedent in the nuclear energy sector.

The NPM, designed with critical insights from Ansys' multiphysics simulation solutions, stands as a testament to innovation in nuclear technology. It is capable of providing carbon-free energy for a variety of applications, including electrical generation, district heating, water desalinization, and commercial-scale hydrogen production.

A key feature of the NuScale design is its fully passive safety system. This groundbreaking system enables reactors to shut down and self-cool without any operator or computer action, AC or DC power, or added water. This advancement, facilitated by Ansys thermal and structural analysis solutions, is a direct response to past challenges in the nuclear industry, aiming to mitigate or eliminate safety issues.

The approval of NuScale's design by the NRC is a game-changer for utilities, allowing them to leverage this pre-approved product when applying for a combined license to build and operate nuclear power plants. NuScale anticipates deploying its SMR technology both in the U.S. and Europe by the end of the decade, marking a significant step forward in the global nuclear energy landscape.

Carl Fisher, Chief Operating Officer at NuScale Power, highlighted the revolutionary nature of their SMR technology. He emphasized the importance of meeting NRC requirements for structural integrity and safety, which necessitates complex, accurate, and reliable calculations. Fisher praised Ansys as the industry's gold standard for simulations, analyses, and component qualifications, facilitating an efficient design review by the regulator.

Walt Hearn, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Customer Excellence at Ansys, acknowledged this collaboration as a milestone for both NuScale and the global energy market. He remarked on the role of Ansys' multiphysics simulation and virtual prototyping in this historic development, underscoring Ansys' commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions.

Despite recent setbacks, such as the cancellation of the Carbon Free Power Project (CFPP) at Idaho National Laboratory, NuScale CEO John Hopkins remains optimistic. The project's termination came after Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS) was unable to meet subscription requirements, one of the three conditions essential for the project's continuation. However, NuScale continues to forge ahead, with Doosan Enerbility already producing materials for the first NuScale Power Modules and plans for deployment in numerous countries.

Significant progress is being made in various regions, with Romanian company RoPower Nuclear moving forward with their project and US infrastructure company Standard Power developing SMR facilities in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Additionally, Polish copper and silver producer KGHM Polska Miedz SA continues to explore NuScale's technology for its potential SMR investment.

This collaboration between NuScale and Ansys represents a significant advancement in nuclear technology, demonstrating the potential of SMRs in contributing to a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable energy future.