The stigma of using nuclear reactors to generate electricity has eased somewhat this year as they are seen as a “clean energy source” compared to burning fossil fuels. With more and more data centers being built, Selangor itself has plans to build a nuclear reactor to meet its energy needs.
This week, Samsung Heavy Industries received preliminary approval from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) to build a modular nuclear reactor to be used on ships as a floating power station. Samsung is collaborating with the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) to develop a floating modular small reactor (FSMR) based on the SMART100 (System-integrated Modular Advanced Reactor 100) reactor design.
The SMART100 produces a thermal output of up to 365 MW with an electrical power output of up to 110 MW. With the modular design of the FSMR, the reactor can be designed and tested separately outside the ship before the modules are finally inserted. The FSMR has a lifespan of 60 years with fuel replacement every 3 years.