Capacity expansion prospects of small modular light water reactors for electricity and district heat production in Europe

Topi Rasku; Jean-Nicolas Louis

doi:10.1109/EEM68581.2026.11589630

Capacity expansion prospects of small modular light water reactors for electricity and district heat production in Europe

Topi Rasku^*
, Jean-Nicolas Louis

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference article in proceedings › Scientific › peer-review

Abstract

Nuclear energy could facilitate the energy transition and meet rising demands, but has been neglected in European energy system planning due its economic, societal, and regulatory challenges. This paper examines electricity and district heat generation capacity expansion in Europe between 2030-2040 with small modular light-water reactors (SM-LWRs) based on TYNDP 2024 National Trends+ scenario using the Backbone energy system optimization framework. Six SM-LWR parameter sensitivity scenarios were examined across 35 weather years to obtain a broad perspective. Heat-only SM-LWRs appeared already at conservative parameter assumptions, while combined heat and power and electricity-only reactors required more optimistic ones. Furthermore, VRE investments decreased noticeably, indicating that neglecting nuclear risks skewing capacity expansion results. Future work should include power grid and power-to-X expansion to better assess SM-LWR prospects.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	2026 22nd International Conference on the European Energy Market, EEM 2026
Place of Publication	Trondheim, Norway
Publisher	IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
Number of pages	6
ISBN (Electronic)	979-8-3195-3554-2
ISBN (Print)	979-8-3195-3555-9
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/EEM68581.2026.11589630
Publication status	Published - 10 Jul 2026
MoE publication type	A4 Article in a conference publication
Event	International Conference on the European Energy Market (EEM) - NTNU Gløshaugen Campus, Realfagbygget, Trondheim, Norway Duration: 22 Jun 2026 → 24 Jun 2026 Conference number: 22 https://www.ntnu.edu/eem26

Conference

Conference	International Conference on the European Energy Market (EEM)
Abbreviated title	EEM26
Country/Territory	Norway
City	Trondheim
Period	22/06/26 → 24/06/26
Internet address	https://www.ntnu.edu/eem26

Funding

This research was primarily funded by VTT internal projects GG-SMR 2025 and GG-SMR-2026, as well as supported by Research Council of Finland project 2IMATCH under decision number 358654.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 13 Climate Action

Keywords

capacity expansion planning
district heating
Energy system optimization
light-water reactors
small modular reactor
light-water reactor
energy system optimization

Access to Document

10.1109/EEM68581.2026.11589630Licence: Unspecified

Cite this

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title = "Capacity expansion prospects of small modular light water reactors for electricity and district heat production in Europe",

abstract = "Nuclear energy could facilitate the energy transition and meet rising demands, but has been neglected in European energy system planning due its economic, societal, and regulatory challenges. This paper examines electricity and district heat generation capacity expansion in Europe between 2030-2040 with small modular light-water reactors (SM-LWRs) based on TYNDP 2024 National Trends+ scenario using the Backbone energy system optimization framework. Six SM-LWR parameter sensitivity scenarios were examined across 35 weather years to obtain a broad perspective. Heat-only SM-LWRs appeared already at conservative parameter assumptions, while combined heat and power and electricity-only reactors required more optimistic ones. Furthermore, VRE investments decreased noticeably, indicating that neglecting nuclear risks skewing capacity expansion results. Future work should include power grid and power-to-X expansion to better assess SM-LWR prospects.",

keywords = "capacity expansion planning, district heating, Energy system optimization, light-water reactors, small modular reactor, light-water reactor, energy system optimization",

author = "Topi Rasku and Jean-Nicolas Louis",

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publisher = "IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers",

address = "United States",

note = "International Conference on the European Energy Market (EEM), EEM26 ; Conference date: 22-06-2026 Through 24-06-2026",

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}

Rasku, T & Louis, J-N 2026, Capacity expansion prospects of small modular light water reactors for electricity and district heat production in Europe. in 2026 22nd International Conference on the European Energy Market, EEM 2026., 11589630, IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Trondheim, Norway, International Conference on the European Energy Market (EEM), Trondheim, Norway, 22/06/26. https://doi.org/10.1109/EEM68581.2026.11589630

Capacity expansion prospects of small modular light water reactors for electricity and district heat production in Europe. / Rasku, Topi ; Louis, Jean-Nicolas.
2026 22nd International Conference on the European Energy Market, EEM 2026. Trondheim, Norway: IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, 2026. 11589630.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference article in proceedings › Scientific › peer-review

TY - GEN

T1 - Capacity expansion prospects of small modular light water reactors for electricity and district heat production in Europe

AU - Rasku, Topi

AU - Louis, Jean-Nicolas

N1 - Conference code: 22

PY - 2026/7/10

Y1 - 2026/7/10

N2 - Nuclear energy could facilitate the energy transition and meet rising demands, but has been neglected in European energy system planning due its economic, societal, and regulatory challenges. This paper examines electricity and district heat generation capacity expansion in Europe between 2030-2040 with small modular light-water reactors (SM-LWRs) based on TYNDP 2024 National Trends+ scenario using the Backbone energy system optimization framework. Six SM-LWR parameter sensitivity scenarios were examined across 35 weather years to obtain a broad perspective. Heat-only SM-LWRs appeared already at conservative parameter assumptions, while combined heat and power and electricity-only reactors required more optimistic ones. Furthermore, VRE investments decreased noticeably, indicating that neglecting nuclear risks skewing capacity expansion results. Future work should include power grid and power-to-X expansion to better assess SM-LWR prospects.

AB - Nuclear energy could facilitate the energy transition and meet rising demands, but has been neglected in European energy system planning due its economic, societal, and regulatory challenges. This paper examines electricity and district heat generation capacity expansion in Europe between 2030-2040 with small modular light-water reactors (SM-LWRs) based on TYNDP 2024 National Trends+ scenario using the Backbone energy system optimization framework. Six SM-LWR parameter sensitivity scenarios were examined across 35 weather years to obtain a broad perspective. Heat-only SM-LWRs appeared already at conservative parameter assumptions, while combined heat and power and electricity-only reactors required more optimistic ones. Furthermore, VRE investments decreased noticeably, indicating that neglecting nuclear risks skewing capacity expansion results. Future work should include power grid and power-to-X expansion to better assess SM-LWR prospects.

KW - capacity expansion planning

KW - district heating

KW - Energy system optimization

KW - light-water reactors

KW - small modular reactor

KW - light-water reactor

KW - energy system optimization

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105045110610

U2 - 10.1109/EEM68581.2026.11589630

DO - 10.1109/EEM68581.2026.11589630

M3 - Conference article in proceedings

SN - 979-8-3195-3555-9

BT - 2026 22nd International Conference on the European Energy Market, EEM 2026

PB - IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers

CY - Trondheim, Norway

T2 - International Conference on the European Energy Market (EEM)

Y2 - 22 June 2026 through 24 June 2026

ER -

Capacity expansion prospects of small modular light water reactors for electricity and district heat production in Europe

Abstract

Conference

Funding

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Backbone

2IMatch: Infrastructure/institutions match for resilient & just green electrification

2IMATCH: Infrastructure/institutions match for resilient and just green electrification

SMR capacity expansion prospects in Europe

Cite this

Capacity expansion prospects of small modular light water reactors for electricity and district heat production in Europe

Abstract

Conference

Funding

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Research output

Backbone

Projects

2IMatch: Infrastructure/institutions match for resilient & just green electrification

2IMATCH: Infrastructure/institutions match for resilient and just green electrification

Activities

SMR capacity expansion prospects in Europe

Cite this