Uk-based Rolls-Royce SMR has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Czech nuclear engineering and manufacturing firm Škoda JS. This presents an opportunity to explore areas of collaboration for the Rolls-Royce SMR plant, for deployment both in the Czech Republic and broader central European regions, Rolls Royce said.
For over 60 years, Škoda JS has specialised in the production of pressurised water reactors (PWR) and critical components including reactor pressure vessels (RPVs), RPV internals, control rod drive mechanisms (CRDMs) and safety control systems – supported by broader engineering design, calculation and analytical support services.
Under the MoU, both companies will work together to understand how the capabilities Škoda JS possess, in areas of nuclear engineering and manufacturing, can support the efficient deployment of Rolls-Royce SMR power plants across Europe.
Alan Woods, Business Development and Strategy Director said “As a factory manufactured product – with 90% of the entire Rolls-Royce SMR power plant built in factory conditions – having the right partners in key locations around the World is an important aspect of our international delivery model.
“We see a tremendous opportunity to develop International strategic supply chain partners from whom we can benefit from their decades of ongoing manufacturing knowledge. We are pleased to be discussing these opportunities with such a capable supplier as Škoda JS”.
Milos Mostecky, Commercial Director of Škoda JS said “SMR is a logical route the nuclear industry is taking to make nuclear energy more accessible and affordable in the immediate future. Our shops in Pilsen were originally designed to produce the components for 440MW reactors. The potential for utilisation of our engineering, manufacturing and maintenance capabilities and know-how for SMR projects in Europe is, therefore, significant.”
Rolls-Royce SMR said it will draw upon standard nuclear energy technology that has been used in 400 reactors around the world. The Rolls-Royce SMR power station will have the capacity to generate 470MW of low carbon energy, equivalent to more than 150 onshore wind turbines and enough to power a million homes. It will provide consistent baseload generation for at least 60 years, helping to support the roll out of renewable generation and overcome intermittency issues.
The company said its factory-built model is entirely scalable. “As demand increases, we invest in further factories using the same design and management systems used for all our SMRs.” Rolls-Royce SMR said it will support international efforts to decarbonise energy systems, with a forecast to target GBP250bn ($288bn) of exports, noting that MoUs are already in place with Estonia, Turkey and the Czech Republic.
Image: Rolls-Royce's small modular reactor (courtesy of Rolls-Royce)
