Alleima wins order for steam generator tubes for SMRs
The tubes will be installed in one of the first of the NuScale VOYGR SMR power plants. Deliveries are scheduled during 2024 and the NuScale Power Modules "are expected to be operational in 2029", Alleima said.
Nigel Haworth, acting president of Alleima's tube division, said: "We are thrilled this is finally happening and are proud to announce this breakthrough order for SMRs. As this technique, based on pressurised water-cooled reactor (PWR) technology, is closely linked to current nuclear technology, we see a great potential for significant growth in the coming years. Intensity in discussions regarding the supply of steam generator tubes for SMRs is increasing globally, and as a front runner in this field, we are in a good position for these future power projects."
Jongdoo Kim, CEO of Doosan Enerbility’s Nuclear Business Group, said: "We are delighted to be embarking on our journey towards successful deployment of the first commercial SMR with Alleima, as we highly value Alleima's extensive experience and market-proven products and solution in steam generator tubes."
The NuScale Power Module is a pressurised water reactor with all the components for steam generation and heat exchange incorporated into a single unit, generating 77 MWe, which in September 2020 became the first SMR design to receive approval from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. NuScale offers the units as VOYGR plants: a VOYGR-12 power plant comprising 12 modules is capable of generating 924 MWe. The company also offers four-module and six-module plants and other configurations based on customer needs.
NuScale's SMR is based on PWR technology where Alleima's current steam generator tubing alloys are used. Alleima was previously Sandvik Materials Technology. The name change coincided with it beginning trading on Nasdaq Stockholm in August 2022.
Last month NuScale announced that South Korea's Doosan Enerbility had begun the forging production process for the first module that will be deployed as part of a NuScale VOYGR-6 SMR power plant for the Carbon Free Power Project (CFPP) in the USA. NuScale placed its first upper reactor pressure vessel long-lead material production order with Doosan Enerbility at the end of 2022.
The CFPP is to be built at the US Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory site near Idaho Falls and will use six of NuScale's 77 MWe power modules to generate 462 MWe of electricity. The plant could begin operations as soon as 2029, and Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems, a political subdivision of the state of Utah, is working to submit an application for a construction and operation licence to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission in January 2024.
