Virginia's Largest Utility Considers Small Nuclear Reactors for Sustainable Power

Virginia's largest utility announced plans to explore small nuclear reactors to meet rising electricity demands and cut greenhouse gas emissions. Nuclear power is becoming a favoured option for states moving away from fossil fuels. Advocates of smaller reactors claim they will be more affordable and faster to deploy.

Dominion Energy Virginia has requested SMR companies to assess the feasibility of a project at its North Anna nuclear power plant near Richmond. Dominion CEO Robert Blue stated that nuclear energy already provides 90% of Virginia's carbon-free electricity. A new state law permits the company to explore SMRs, with costs capped at USD 1.4 per month for a typical residential customer, though Blue expects the actual cost impact to be lower.

Interest in Small Modular Reactors

Despite no operational small modular reactors (SMRs) in the US, interest is growing. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) certified the first SMR design from NuScale Power in January 2023. NuScale collaborated with Utah utilities to demonstrate a six-reactor plant at Idaho National Laboratory, intended to power over 300,000 homes. However, the project was cancelled in November due to cost increases and insufficient local subscriptions.

A pilot project is ongoing in Tennessee, and Bill Gates' energy company plans to build a commercial SMR plant in Wyoming. NRC spokesman Scott Burnell mentioned that other designs are under review, including one from Kairos Power for a test version in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. TerraPower, chaired by Gates, has also submitted an application for a commercial plant in Kemmerer, Wyoming.

Challenges and Opposition

Opponents of SMRs, mainly from Democratic-led states, argue that new reactors are more expensive than wind turbines or solar panels and raise safety concerns. Environmentalists also oppose SMRs due to hazardous waste storage issues. A Stanford-led study in 2022 found that SMRs produce more waste than conventional reactors.

Governor Glenn Youngkin emphasised the need for diverse energy sources at a recent news conference. "We cannot build enough wind," Youngkin said. "We cannot build enough solar in order to power the Virginia of the future. We need all of the above." Dominion Energy has been developing solar farms and installing a large wind farm off Virginia Beach's coast.

Nuclear Power's Role in Future Energy Policies

A 2022 Associated Press survey revealed that about two-thirds of US states believe nuclear energy will help replace fossil fuels. However, some states remain sceptical due to cost and safety concerns. The NRC continues to review various SMR designs and has granted construction permits for test versions.

Dominion Energy serves approximately 2.7 million customers in Virginia. A 2020 state law mandates that all electricity must come from carbon-free sources by 2050. As part of this transition, Dominion is considering SMRs alongside other renewable energy projects.

The exploration of small nuclear reactors by Dominion Energy reflects a broader trend towards diversifying energy sources while reducing carbon emissions. Although challenges remain, the growing interest in SMRs indicates their potential role in future energy policies.