Print
More News

GE Hitachi Makes Headway On SMR Design In The U.S.

By Christina Haley O'Neal, posted Feb 24, 2021
Wilmington-based GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy has made further progress on its work to license its small modular reactor design in the United States, according to a news release.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued a Final Safety Evaluation Report (FSER) for the second of five licensing topical reports (LTRs) that have been submitted for the BWRX300 small modular reactor (SMR), officials said in the release. And on Feb. 3, the NRC Advisory Committee for Reactor Safeguards approved a third LTR.

GE Hitachi leaders anticipate that an FSER will be issued for this third LTR in the coming weeks. Two additional reports were submitted in 2020 and are currently under review, officials said.

This is a significant step in the process to commercialize the SMR design in the U.S., according to the release.

The company expects these safety-related LTRs to serve as a foundation for the development of a Preliminary Safety Analysis Report that could potentially be submitted to the NRC by a utility customer that wishes to build and operate a BWRX-300.

GE Hitachi is also pursuing similar measures for its BWRX-300 model in other countries, including Canada, Estonia and Poland. 

The BWRX-300 is a 300 MWe (megawatt electric) water-cooled, natural circulation SMR with passive safety systems. It utilizes the design and licensing basis of the company's NRC-certified Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor (ESBWR).

“These licensing topical reports address the most significant innovative design features of the BWRX300 SMR,” Jon Ball, executive vice president of Nuclear Products for GE Hitachi, said in the release about the work in the U.S. “This licensing effort further advances the commercialization of the BWRX-300 as we work to make the first grid-scale SMR operational later this decade.”
Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
Untitleddesign13

The Benefits of Choosing Local Partners in Construction

Jim Hundley - Thomas Construction Group
Pfinder john zachary

What to Do with a 401(k) After Leaving a Job

John B Zachary - Pathfinder Wealth Consulting
Jenniferadams

How CFPUA and ILM’s Partnership Helps the Region Soar

Jennifer Adams - Cape Fear Public Utility Authority

Trending News

City To Consider New Leases For Fintech Firm, Senator's Office

Emma Dill - Jul 15, 2025

Leland-based Firm's Product Earns Innovation Award

Staff Reports - Jul 15, 2025

Tree Alliance Announces New Board Members

Staff Reports - Jul 15, 2025

Ullucci Named Founding Director Of Physical Therapy Doctoral Program

Staff Reports - Jul 15, 2025

TD Bank Promotes Johnson To Retail Market President Of Mid-South Metro

Staff Reports - Jul 15, 2025

In The Current Issue

Show Goes On For Training Programs

Duke Fire, the program director of film and video production at Cape Fear Community College, said there’s uncertainty about when things will...


At Greenfield Lake, Changes Abound

The amphitheater improvements included installing more than 2,600 square feet of synthetic lawn inside a new fenced area, adding just over 5...


Small Business Spotlight: Business Offers Layers Of Local Hospitality

Jordan Giovannucci opened Canary Yellow, a business with boutique hotel, retail and coffee components, this year....

Book On Business

The 2024 WilmingtonBiz: Book on Business is an annual publication showcasing the Wilmington region as a center of business.

Order Your Copy Today!


Galleries

Videos

2024 Power Breakfast: The Next Season