Prospective environmental impact assessment of the implementation of a small modular reactor in the Philippines using life cycle assessments
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ID: 286932
2023
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Abstract
Climate change remains an ever-present issue, and different approaches are considered to decarbonize energy systems worldwide. One way is nuclear power, although many find the high costs and safety risks unpalatable. Small modular reactors (SMRs) are a recent innovation that aims to alleviate these concerns through modular design and smaller capacity. A process-based life cycle assessment was performed through SimaPro to investigate the life cycle of a NuScale VOYGR pressurized water reactor plant at a maximum of 924 MWe gross in the Philippines. Based on the ReCiPe 2016 (E) midpoint method, the plant garnered 2.68 kg CO2 (eq.) per MWhe throughout its lifetime. Other impacts include ionizing radiation at 41.65 kBq 60Co (eq.), ecotoxicity as high as 2,940.15 kg 1,4-DCB, human toxicity as high as 3,872.07 kg 1,4-DCB, land use at 0.09 m2a, fossil use at 0.68 kg oil (eq.), and water consumption at 3.21 m3, all per MWhe. Impact distributions reveal that fuel processing, particularly enrichment, is the most intensive process for global warming, land use, and fossil use. Raw material extraction, especially in situ leaching, is responsible for most of the impacts for ionizing radiation and the toxicity categories. Plant operation dominates water consumption because of the large amount of cooling water required. Sensitivity analyses were performed on assumptions following the countries exporting uranium, the mining methods used, the number of reactor units in the plant, and the location of the plant. From here it was established that in situ leaching practices contribute more to emissions besides water consumption. Moreover, the number of reactor units only marginally affects the impacts over a 60-year lifetime. Also, the location of the plant did not significantly change environmental impacts. Finally, the global warming impacts were compared to other SMR studies, other nuclear energy systems, and energy generation methods. This revealed that although the impact is lower than expected for nuclear power plants, it is still observed in other studies and is below other non-renewable energy systems. This reinforces the advantages of nuclear power regarding environmental impacts, further pushing small modular reactors in their viability for use in countries like the Philippines.
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| Authors | Calangi, Godwin Yobl N. |
| Journal | Malay Journal |
| Year | 2023 |
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