Studsvik and new nuclear power
Short term 1-5 years
The climate crisis and increased global demand for electricity have characterized recent years’ debate on the to-be-or-not-to-be of nuclear power, as it offers fossil-free, efficient and plannable energy production. With Studsvik’s high-tech service offer in nuclear technology we are well-equipped to meet the opportunities that arise as a result of this increased interest.
Studsvik is of course positive about the growing role of nuclear power in the green transition. We are also keen to continuously develop the Studsvik site, as well as to adapt our existing services to also include Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and other new reactor types. Studsvik is therefore involved in investigating whether it would be suitably to establish SMRs on the Studsvik site. We note that there are many indications that the conditions for this are good, and we are in dialog with several stakeholders.
The Studsvik site is classic Swedish nuclear territory, and the site has infrastructure adapted for nuclear activities. Until 2005 there was a research reactor in operation here, and Nyköping is a municipality that has experience of nuclear power. The Studsvik site is strategically well located in bidding zone 3, close to municipalities and industries with growing demand for energy. Because of this, the Studsvik site has the potential to contribute to fossile-free operations in Nyköping and neighboring municipalities.
If SMRs are established on the Studsvik site, Studsvik’s role will be to make land available and contribute with its expertise in various areas – not to build or operate nuclear power plants on its own.
In general, nuclear power plants have very little negative impact on the surrounding area and the environment. They do not smell, they have little water impact, they are barely seen and heard and they take up – not least weighted against the amount of energy produced – a very small land area. The radioactive waste produced is handled according to strict regulations and Studsvik contributes with methods and know-how about reducing volume and conditioning the waste for intermediate and final disposal.
Studsvik wants to support the climate transition, where more nuclear power is needed to meet the climate goals, while meeting the increasing demand for energy in all parts of the world. Studsvik can contribute by further strengthening its role as a competence and research hub in Swedish nuclear power investments at the same time as we continue to develop our service offering for the international nuclear industry.
Medium and long term – more than 5 years
Studsvik is of course positive that nuclear power will in the long term get an increasingly large part of the energy mix in the world. With the growing demand for energy predicted globally, it is necessary to plan how to meet that demand. Nuclear power production is cost-effective, fossil-free and plannable, and is therefore well suited to the current world situation, with climate changes that require action.
Studsvik wants to support this climate transition and we see that in the long term there is a possibility for new nuclear power on the Studsvik site, either in the form of commercial reactors, research reactors or a combination of both.
Studsvik today offers a range of advanced technical services to the global nuclear power industry. In the long term, we see Studsvik continuing to be an innovative partner in the industry with a broadened and adapted range that also includes SMRs and other new reactor types.
Studsvik’s focus areas are fuel and materials technology, reactor analysis software and fuel optimization, decommissioning and radiation protection services as well as technical solutions for handling, conditioning and volume reduction of radioactive waste. All these services are also important for new types of reactors, to contribute to safe and efficient operation as well as management of decommissioning and waste.
