Rolls-Royce SMR
About
The Rolls-Royce SMR is a 470 MWe PWR featuring a compact three-loop configuration. It uses conventional LEU UO₂ fuel and is designed for grid-scale electricity generation. With an outlet temperature of about 300 degrees Celsius, it can also be used for desalination and district heating.
| Developer | Rolls-Royce |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
| Size | Medium |
| Type | Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) |
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Analysis
3
Deployment Timescale
Score Justification
The Rolls-Royce SMR is progressing through the U.K. Generic Design Assessment, with additional pre-application engagement underway in the United States. It benefits from a strong precedent as a conventional PWR and a mature industrial supply chain. However, on-site construction requirements constrain speed, resulting in a moderate deployment timeline.
By indicator
- 2/4 Regulatory Engagement
To what extent has the reactor developer engaged with a recognized nuclear regulatory authority in the licensing process? (30% of total score) - 4/6 Technology Precedent
Has the reactor design, or a sufficiently similar design, been certified anywhere in the world? (10% of total score) - 2/3 Modularity
What share of total reactor systems can be manufactured off-site in controlled factory environments rather than constructed on-site? (15% of total score) - 2/4 Specialization
To what extent do construction activities and components require lengthy qualification processes? (15% of total score) - 5/5 Supply Chain
How mature and available are suppliers for key reactor components and fuel services? (30% of total score)
2
Overnight Cost
Score Justification
The Rolls-Royce SMR has a larger balance of plant than most similarly sized non-PWRs because of the auxiliary systems necessary for high pressure reactors, which is a significant driver of overnight cost. As a PWR, the reactor does not need exotic specialized components, but it requires robust nuclear-grade construction related to containment.
By indicator
- 2/4 Component Cost
What is the expected cost of the reactor’s major components? (40% of total score) - 3/6 Construction Cost
To what extent does the design reduce construction cost and risk through modular fabrication and limited nuclear-grade specialization? (60% of total score)
3
Operational Cost
Score Justification
Fuel and waste management costs are predictable due to the use of standard-assay LEU UO₂ fuel and well-established PWR waste pathways. Maintenance and staffing requirements remain relatively high compared to smaller SMRs because the design retains a full nuclear island, including multiple primary loops and refueling outages, though modular construction and design standardization are intended to improve operational efficiency over time.
By indicator
- 3/3 Fuel Cost
What is the estimated cost of nuclear fuel per unit of electricity generated, including enrichment, fabrication, and back-end costs? (15% of total score) - 2/4 Maintenance Cost
What is the expected annual maintenance cost for the reactor and balance of plant systems, including consumables? (25% of total score) - 2/5 Staffing Level
How many full-time personnel are required to safely operate and maintain the reactor unit? (40% of total score) - 3/5 Spent Fuel & Radioactive Waste Management Cost
What are the expected operational costs associated with managing spent fuel, including interim storage, transport, disposal, or recycling? (10% of total score) - 3/5 Decommissioning Cost
What are the total lifetime contributions required for decommissioning, regardless of funding mechanism? (10% of total score)
2
Cost Predictability
Score Justification
Cost predictability remains limited because of the absence of a constructed prototype. Although engineered prototypes and manufacturing facilities are under development, first-of-a-kind execution risks and on-site construction requirements introduce uncertainty in both schedule and final project costs.
By indicator
- 0/5 Prototype
To what extent has the reactor design been built, demonstrated, or commercially deployed in practice? (75% of total score) - 2/3 Modularity
What share of total reactor systems can be manufactured off-site in controlled factory environments rather than constructed on-site? (25% of total score)
5
Security
Score Justification
The Rolls-Royce SMR uses LEU fuel. Its thermal spectrum is not optimized to produce weapons-usable material. The reactor incorporates security–by–design principles in its cybersecurity and access controls.
By indicator
- 3/3 Fuel
What is the enrichment level and composition of the reactor fuel? (40% of total score) - 4/4 Nuclear Material Production
What is the potential for the reactor to produce weapons-usable nuclear material? (40% of total score) - 1/1 Security by Design
Has the reactor developer built in security by design? (20% of total score)
3
Safety
Score Justification
The Rolls-Royce SMR does not yet have a completed safety case for commercial operation; however, it has commenced the final phase of the UK’s Generic Design Assessment. The Rolls-Royce SMR uses a light water coolant but does not incorporate accident-tolerant fuel. The design operates at high pressure and relies on a primary steel-lined containment vessel, supplemented by additional reinforced concrete confinement structures.
By indicator
- 1/2 Safety Case
How mature and publicly established is the reactor’s safety case with the regulator? (40% of total score) - 1/2 Shutdown Mechanism
How diverse, independent, and passive are the reactor’s shutdown systems? (20% of total score) - 0/1 Fuel With Safety Characteristics
Does the reactor use fuel with accident tolerance or inherent safety characteristics? (10% of total score) - 1/4 Pressure & Containment
How well does the reactor’s containment strategy protect from the release of radioactive material? (10% of total score) - 3/3 Passive Heat Removal
How long can the reactor remove core heat without operator intervention? (10% of total score) - 3/4 Coolant Reactivity
How chemically reactive is the reactor coolant? (10% of total score)
3
Spent Fuel & Radioactive Waste Management
Score Justification
The Rolls–Royce SMR uses standard–assay LEU UO₂ fuel, which has been licensed and qualified for disposal in multiple countries. This familiar spent fuel form can usually be transferred to interim storage within five years. The reactor does not introduce novel waste streams that require separate treatment and handling beyond past practice.
By indicator
- 1/1 Spent Fuel Licensing Precedent
Has the spent fuel form been previously licensed for disposal? (20% of total score) - 3/4 Waste Streams
How many distinct waste streams require separate conditioning or handling pathways? (20% of total score) - 2/3 On-Site Storage
How much on-site area is required for interim spent fuel storage? (10% of total score) - 2/3 Spent Fuel Volume
What volume of spent fuel is produced per unit of electricity generated? (15% of total score) - 1/2 Decay Heat
What is the decay heat output of spent fuel at the 50-year interim storage milestone? (20% of total score) - 2/2 Time to Interim Storage
What is the average time until spent fuel can be transferred to interim storage? (15% of total score)
5
Supply Chain
Score Justification
The Rolls-Royce SMR relies on an established global supply chain. Fuel fabrication, component manufacturing, and supporting services already exist at scale, reducing supply bottlenecks and improving deployment lead time.
By indicator
- 2/2 Key Component Availability
To what extent are commercial or pilot-scale suppliers available for the reactor’s major components? (60% of total score) - 4/4 Fuel Availability
Are suppliers available for both fuel fabrication and enrichment required by the reactor design? (40% of total score)