July 24, 2024
The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) believes small modular nuclear reactors (SMR) could be an option for Australia’s future energy mix but are “unlikely to contribute significantly in the short to medium term”.
A new report by ATSE found the least risky option for implementing nuclear power would be for Australia to wait until several SMR models had been established and were operational in other OECD countries.
It found there were increased financial and technical risks in pursuing SMRs before a global market emerged.
However, the timeline for establishing a mature SMR market was not the only consideration for a nuclear-powered Australia, the report found.
If a nuclear energy industry was to be established, it would require lifting Federal and State moratoria on nuclear power, establishing a national nuclear regulator, training an appropriately skilled workforce, and establishing appropriate mechanisms to deal with nuclear waste.
The report also said a nuclear energy industry would be unlikely to succeed without broad social acceptance from the Australian public.
However, it did not rule out SMRs as part of Australia’s future energy mix.
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