HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and 12 other entities, including major companies and universities active in the shipbuilding and nuclear industries of South Korea, signed an agreement on October 7, 2023, to establish a "Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Technology Testing Center." This agreement was signed at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), and its aim is to develop, validate, and test the necessary technologies for the commercialization of small modular reactors.
Details of the Agreement and Participating Entities
The agreement includes 12 entities such as HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, KEPCO Engineering & Construction, Hyundai Engineering & Construction, Korean Register, Hyundai Heavy Industries Turbomachinery, Clad Korea, Ulsan Technopark, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Seoul National University, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), and Hanyang University. This collaboration is designed to create shared infrastructure for the development and commercialization of small modular reactor technology.
Read more: Establishment of Innovation Rooms at Sharif University of Technology to Solve Industry Issues
The Role and Importance of Small Modular Reactors
Small modular reactors are recognized as a sustainable and cost-effective option for energy supply in maritime industries and remote areas. The capacity of these reactors typically ranges from 10 to 300 megawatts, which can effectively meet energy needs. Given the challenges of climate change and the need to reduce carbon emissions, the development and commercialization of small modular reactor technology is proposed as an important solution to achieve sustainable energy goals and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Won Gwang-sik, head of the marine energy business division at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, stated: "The small modular reactor technology testing center will serve as an effective collaboration hub that connects the technologies and research infrastructures of South Korea's shipbuilding and nuclear industries." He also added: "By collaborating with participating entities, we will gradually lay the groundwork for testing and industrializing marine nuclear technology."
Read more: IMEC and The Hood Launch Sister Boxes to Support Women Sailors · Development of Artificial Intelligence Solutions in Underwater Fields with Tide Breaker Initiative
