Heat and Power From Microreactors — An Ongoing Discussion

Recent national policy actions and commercial investments have elevated interest for microreactor nuclear energy systems. A microreactor, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, can generate anywhere from 1-20 megawatts of thermal energy to be used as heat or converted to electricity.

ACEP’s Gwen Holdmann and George Roe recently presented on this topic at the 2020 Alaska Forum on the Environment. The session, titled “Nuclear Reactors and Alaska — History, Evolving Technology, Possible Applications,” included presenters from the University of Alaska Anchorage and Idaho National Lab.

Application opportunities for the compact, location-flexible, no-emissions, high-reliability sources of heat and power technology could potentially span the geography and economy of Alaska.

The panel was part of an ongoing effort to gather input related to nuclear energy applications and to define case studies that can guide future in-depth analysis related to microreactor technology integration in Alaska energy systems. Please contact George Roe for further information.

 

George Roe presents during a session on nuclear reactors and Alaska at the Alaska Forum on the Environment. Devin Shreckengost / Alaska Teen Media Institute.