Google, Amazon and Microsoft – they are all now betting on nuclear power to supply future data centers with electricity. Small reactors that are cheaper and faster to manufacture and that can be connected in series are pointed out by many as the fastest way to get new nuclear power in place. The power group ABB has now jumped on that bandwagon and entered into a collaboration with the Swedish research company Blykalla, with roots in KTH.
Short schedule
Together, the companies will develop a test reactor at the Oskarshamn nuclear power plant with the goal of building a lead-cooled reactor for radioactive fuel within five years, possibly in Studsvik. ABB shall not manufacture the reactor parts themselves but electronic systems around the reactor.
Five years sounds very short?
– It is absolutely not impossible. If you as a nation have a will to get new nuclear power in place, and if we get capital and competence in place, it is absolutely doable, and that is what we strive for, says Jacob Stedman, CEO at Blykalla.
– We are now in a pilot phase where many different small reactors from different manufacturers in the world are being developed. It is likely that we will approach 2030 before these are commercialized and can be used, so 2030 plus is realistic in our opinion, says Per Erik Holsten, global division manager for ABB Energy Industries.
The return of nuclear power
ABB, formerly Asea Atom, has a long history in nuclear power with manufacturing in Västerås. Asea Atom has built most of the reactors in Sweden and still has a large operation to maintain them. But the fact that the company is now starting a new reactor project is perhaps a sign of the powerhouse’s comeback.
– We see that nuclear power will be an important part of the energy mix going forward, and it has gained momentum as energy demand in the world increases, says Per Erik Holsten.
– If we are to solve climate change and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and not make ourselves dependent on Russia, we must have new nuclear power in place both in Sweden and outside, believes Jacob Stedman at Blykalla.
Early with small reactors
It is not the first time that ABB has invested in so-called SMRs (small modular reactors). Already in the 70s, the company actually also had plans for small reactors for district heating to replace fuel oil.
In the clip, you can see how that reactor was supposed to work, and what Blykalla’s prototype looks like.