Hyundai Engineering announced on Dec. 2 that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), the North Gyeongsang Province Government, Handong University, the Provincial Government of Alberta in Canada, Calgary University of Canada and CKBC, to build a small modular reactor (SMR) based on sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) technology in Alberta, Canada.
Under the agreement, Hyundai Engineering will build a 100Mwe small reactor in Alberta, using SFR technology. It will also promote cooperation in technology development in various fields such as electricity generation and hydrogen production using process heat.
The SFR uses liquid sodium as the reactor coolant. It generates electricity with steam, which is generated when the heat from fission is cooled with liquid sodium instead of water. It is a next-generation nuclear power plant technology that Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Berkshire Hathaway chairman Warren Buffett are seeking to utilize.
Since the 1990s, the KAERI has developed the SFR, a fourth-generation nuclear reactor, through national projects. The institute finished a basic design on major systems of a 150MWe PGSFR. Based on the basic design, it will develop an export-purpose 100Mwe SFR for 100Mwe long-cycle power generation.
Through this agreement, Hyundai Engineering will be in charge of engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) work for the SFR project in Alberta. It plans to start demonstration plant construction in Alberta next year after opening a joint office in Canada and drawing up a plant design and development plan for small reactors.
