Thailand and the U.S. virtually meeting on FIRST program and SMR Technology

Thailand and the U.S. virtually meeting on FIRST program and SMR Technology

On 19 July 2022, Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology or TINT, in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, held a virtual workshop on Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of SMR Technology (FIRST) program, as a platform to provide necessary information to Thai parties.

FIRST is a capacity-building program designed to support partner nations to the U.S. to meet their future clean energy needs through advanced nuclear technologies focusing on nuclear safety, security, and non-proliferation. Target of FIRST program is the countries that are seriously considering Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as an option to be part of energy mix in the country, both nuclear energy newcomers and current nuclear energy producing states. To strengthen the program, U.S. nuclear sectors consisting of U.S. NRC, U.S. DOS, U.S. DOE, U.S. Trade and Development Agency, Department of Commerce, National Laboratories, Universities, as well as Private Sectors partner up in support of the program implementation.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors that have a power capacity of up to 300 MW(e) per unit, which is about one-third of the generating capacity of traditional nuclear power reactors. SMRs, which can produce a large amount of low-carbon electricity, are: Small – physically a fraction of the size of a conventional nuclear power reactor. Modular – making it possible for systems and components to be factory-assembled and transported as a unit to a location for installation. Reactors – harnessing nuclear fission to generate heat to produce energy.

Countries may consider it an option due to the following advantages, for instance, integration with renewable energy, reduced CO2 production, site flexibility, better affordability and shorter construction time.

Attended by several energy-related parties namely Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, Ministry of Energy, Energy Policy and Planning office, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Chulalongkorn University, The Federation of Thai Industries, Office of Atoms for Peace, and TINT, the event is a good start for Thailand to have an in-depth discussion in consideration on SMR technology.