Small Modular ReacTor for a European sAfe aNd Decarbonized Energy Mix

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) can be hybridized with other energy sources, storage systems and energy conversion applications to provide electricity, heat and hydrogen. SMR technology thus has the potential to strongly contribute to the energy decarbonisation in order to achieve climate-neutrality in Europe by 2050. However, the integration of nuclear reactors, particularly SMRs, in hybrid energy systems is a new R&D topic to be investigated. In this context, the TANDEM project aims to provide assessments and tools to facilitate the safe, secure and efficient integration of SMRs into smart low-carbon hybrid energy systems. It proposes to specifically address the safety issues of SMRs related to their integration into hybrid energy systems, involving specific interactions between SMRs and the rest of the hybrid systems; new initiating events will have to be considered in the safety approach. An open-source ""TANDEM"" model library of hybrid system components will be developed in Modelica language to build a hybrid system simulator which, by coupling, will extend the capabilities of existing tools implemented in the project. TANDEM intends to focus on two main study cases corresponding to hybrid system configurations covering the main trends of the European energy policy and market evolution: a district heating network and power supply in an urban area, and an energy hub serving energy conversion systems, including hydrogen production, in a regional perspective. TANDEM will provide assessments on SMR safety, hybrid system operationality and techno-economics. Societal considerations will also be encased by analyzing the European citizen engagement regarding SMR technology safety. The work will result in technical, economic and societal recommendations and policy briefs on the safety of SMRs and their integration into hybrid energy systems for industry, R&D teams, TSOs, regulators, NGOs and policy makers. The TANDEM consortium will involve 17 partners from 8 countries.

TANDEM investigates the prospects of small modular reactors in future decarbonized energy systems. In the future our energy must be produced without CO2 emissions, and in addition to electricity, also heat, fuels, and industry must be carbon neutral. Small modular reactors have a potential to help in this effort, and TANDEM aims to quantify how.