WASHINGTON — D.C.-based energy startup Last Energy is making a pitch that small nuclear reactors are the answer to future energy concerns. Last Energy builds so-called Small Modular Reactors (SMR)s. These reactors can create enough energy to power neighborhoods.
One of Last Energy's target audiences with the SMR technology is data centers.
"In a world driven by data, reliable and scalable energy solutions are paramount to meet evolving energy requirements and sustainability commitments," the company's website says.
Last Energy officials were in D.C. Monday showing off the prototype of the SMR. It uses an easy-to-assemble steel structure to house a 20-megawatt light-water reactor, which is partially buried underground. The founder and CEO Bret Kugelmass is now on a tour to convince the public that smaller scale nuclear plants are a good idea.
A spokesperson for Last Energy said while this prototype is currently sitting in a northwest DC neighborhood, the real SMRs would not be built there.
They would be set up in industrial zones -- near manufacturing parks or data centers.
The team is presenting its vision for nuclear energy at the Data Center World Conference in DC this week, which is why it suspended a 22-ton prototype from a crane in front of the Convention Center Monday afternoon.
“What we want to demonstrate today is that nuclear power can be delivered cost effectively, and on time," spokesperson John Chaplin said. "What is really driving that is this prototype demonstration module, displaying the ability to be able to do this in a modular high throughput fashion. So what we have seen in the past with nuclear development is that the development times are long and expanded, and what we're trying to innovate on is the ability to do this quick and efficiently."
While Last Energy sees these small reactors as the next big thing in energy, others are urging caution. The watchdog group Union of Concerned Scientists has been raising the alarm for years.
In a 2013 report titled "Small Isn't Always Beautiful," Edwin Lyman says many of the risk surrounding nuclear power, including waste concerns, and vulnerability to terrorist attacks, still exist with SMRs.
"Greater levels of nuclear plant safety and security cannot be achieved by smart design alone," Lyman writes.
In April of this year, the group penned a letter to the US Senate, urging caution on a bill that the House of Representatives passed in February.
They fear that H.R.6544 could undermine the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which is the body charged with protecting public health, worker safety, and the environment as it relates to civilian nuclear power.
As the Senate reviews it, the Union of Concerned Scientists is making the following recommendations:
- Reject language that undermines the NRC’s independence and core mission.
- Reject attempts to micromanage how the NRC conducts its safety and security oversight.
- Reject foreign ownership, control or domination of domestic nuclear facilities.
Cost is often also top of mind for taxpayers.
Last Energy said this would not be funded by the government.
"Our unique perspective is that all of these would be privately financed through private investment funds that focus on developing large infrastructure projects. So no government money would be needed to develop these," Chaplin said.
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