Game-Changing Westinghouse AP300™ SMR for Mid-Sized Nuclear Technology

Westinghouse Electric launched its newest nuclear technology, the AP300™ small modular reactor (SMR), a 300-MWe single-loop pressurized water reactor. The AP300 SMR design is scaled from the advanced, proven AP1000® reactor and is the only SMR truly based on an Nth-of-a-kind operating plant.

The AP300 SMR is an ultra-compact, modular-constructed unit that leverages the innovation and operational knowledge of the global AP1000 fleet. It will utilize identical AP1000 technology, to include major equipment, structural components, passive safety, proven fuel, and I&C systems. The AP300 will bring to bear a mature supply chain, constructability lessons learned, fast load-follow capabilities and proven O&M procedures and best practices from 18 reactor years of safe AP1000 operations.

The Westinghouse-pioneered advanced passive safety system automatically achieves safe shutdown without operator action and eliminates the need for backup power and cooling supply. This also directly translates into a simplified design, lower CAPEX, and smaller footprint. Like the AP1000, the AP300 is designed to operate for an 80+ year life cycle.

The AP300 SMR design utilizes Westinghouse’s proven Gen III+ advanced technology, which has regulatory approval in the U.S., Great Britain, and China, as well as compliance with European Utility Requirements (EUR) standards for nuclear power plants. This brings licensing advantages and substantially reduces delivery risk for customers in the utility, oil & gas, and industrial space. Design certification is anticipated by 2027, followed by site specific licensing and construction on the first unit toward the end of the decade.

“The AP300 is the only small modular reactor offering available that is based on deployed, operating and advanced reactor technology,” said Patrick Fragman, President and CEO of Westinghouse. “The launch of the AP300 SMR rounds out the Westinghouse portfolio of reactor technology, allowing us to deliver on the full needs of our customers globally, with a clear line of sight on schedule of delivery, and economics.”

The AP300 SMR offers reliable, safe, and clean electricity, as well as additional applications for district heating and water desalination. Its fast load-follow capabilities make it ideally suited for integration with renewable resources. It will also pave the way toward the hydrogen economy by enabling cost-effective, clean production of hydrogen integrated with the plant.

Westinghouse has named Dr. Rita Baranwal, currently Chief Technology Officer, to Senior Vice President in the Energy Systems business unit, to lead the team developing the AP300 SMR. Baranwal is the former Assistant Secretary of Nuclear Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy, with decades of experience in the nuclear energy field including as director of the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) initiative at Idaho National Lab.

Westinghouse provides the technology to create a sustainable future and enhance energy security around the globe, and eventually in outer space. Westinghouse does this through cutting-edge designs and innovation based on 70 years of experience developing and deploying nuclear energy technology. The AP1000 reactor, the AP300 small modular reactor, the eVinci™ microreactor, Generation IV lead fast reactor (LFR), and Pumped-Thermal Energy Storage, together, create a blueprint for a carbon-free grid that serves communities large and small with reliable, cost-effective electricity, district and process heat, and water desalination.

 

AP300™ SMR: Only SMR based on Deployed, Operating & Advanced Reactor Technology

The Westinghouse AP300™ Small Modular Reactor is the most advanced, proven and readily deployable SMR solution. Westinghouse proudly brings 70+ years of experience developing and implementing new nuclear technologies that enable reliable, clean, safe, and economical sources of energy for generations to come.

This AP1000® reactor is already proving itself every day around the globe. Currently, four units utilizing AP1000 technology are operating in China, setting performance records. Six more are under construction in China and one AP1000 reactor is operating at Plant Vogtle in Georgia while a second nears completion.

The Westinghouse AP300 SMR leverages that operating experience, as well as tens of millions of hours on AP1000 reactor development.

The AP300 SMR complements the AP1000 reactor for a cleaner energy mix, energy security, and grid flexibility and stabilization.

 

Based on Real-World Proven Technology

The AP300 SMR, 300MWe (900MWth), is based on the licensed and operating AP1000 pressurized light water technology that has demonstrated industry leading reliability.

The Westinghouse AP300 SMR delivers on the promises of small modular reactors: smaller scale, modular construction for efficient build schedules, state-of-the-art safety, and reliability.

The benefits of basing AP300 on the proven AP1000 reactor include:

• More than 30 years licensing advanced passive safety technologies with global regulators.
• Utilizing an established infrastructure, including a mature supply chain and Operations & Maintenance services.
• Westinghouse is a world leader in delivering nuclear fuel. AP300 SMR utilizes our robust fuel design that incorporates a variety of proven and advanced fuel features, and a four-year refueling cycle.
• Uses advanced proven Instrumentation & Controls technology to simplify operations and increase reliability.

 

Advanced Safety

Westinghouse pioneered advanced passive safety systems and the AP300 SMR is based on the proven AP1000 passive safety systems that have been extensively analyzed and tested. Global regulators have reviewed these systems and determined that they meet advanced safety criteria.

• Fail Safe Designed to achieve and maintain safe shutdown condition without operator action, back-up power or pumps
• Self Sufficient Passive approach to safety system operation eliminates the need for backup power and cooling supply
• Hazard Proof Protected by a robust containment designed to withstand extreme external hazards
• Defense in Depth Multiple layers of defense for accident mitigation

 

Readily Deployable

The AP300 SMR has a proven pedigree throughout the plant lifecycle. For customers this means risk reduction leading to smoother deployment and operational success. Here is what Westinghouse can deliver:

• Technology Readiness

Tens of millions of hours dedicated to AP1000 reactor development. Multiple AP1000 reactors operating and dozens pending.

• Licensing Certainty

Based on licensed AP1000 technology. AP300 passive safety systems are backed by extensive testing.

• Established Supply Chain

Incumbent AP1000 suppliers can deliver major equipment. Demonstrated capability to localize supply chain.

• Modular Construction

Simplified, modular, ultra compact nuclear island (costliest portion of any reactor) reduces construction costs/schedule.

• Reliable Operations & Maintenance

Record-setting AP1000 operational and outage performance. Targeting greater than 80-year life cycle.

 

Application Versatility

The AP300 SMR is the backbone of a community clean energy system. Flexible performance provides a proven capability to stabilize modern renewable heavy electric grids, including fast load change capabilities to support variations in demand. Includes additional capability to support district heating, desalination, and hydrogen production.