There has been a renewed push for coal-fired power stations to be replaced with small modular reactors (SMRs). But what exactly are SMRs?
Nuclear power has long been a topic of debate for Australia, but the use of it is currently blocked under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999) and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is seeking to change this, pushing for coal-fired power stations to be supplanted by small modular reactors (SMRs). SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors that can produce a large amount of low-carbon electricity, despite being about one-third of the generating capacity of traditional reactors.
The components are in the name; SMRs are small and modular (easily assembled and transported) reactors that harness nuclear fission to generate heat to produce electricity.
SMRs have been hailed as a great option for sites that cannot support large nuclear power plants. According to Dutton, when installed, they could begin to work immediately.
However, Australia would need at least 71 300-megawatt SMRs to replace its coal-fired stations, according to departmental analysis. This could cost approximately $387 billion.
Speaking to The Age, energy analyst Dylan McConnell said that nuclear is, at the moment, the more expensive option for renewable power.
“Invoking the underwriting facility in the comparison with a nuclear set-up (isn’t) apples for apples, and the $320 billion cited last year for transitioning the national infrastructure (is) a more reasonable comparison,” McConnell said.
While experts and representatives remain divided on the cost, use and benefits of SMRs, while the 1998 and 1999 Acts continue to hold, it is unlikely Australia will see a switch to nuclear energy anytime soon.