A nuclear-powered electricity generation system that can be up to one tenth the size of the traditional nuclear reactor. A unique feature is that small modular reactors (SMRs) can be built in a factory and transported to their destination. Although SMRs are not expected to be as efficient as large power plants, pundits predict that they are the salvation to the massive demand made by AI and cryptocurrencies.
Small modular reactors use the traditional "fission" method of energy creation and not "fusion," the latter the hope of many for the energy future.
Microreactors: Smaller Yet
Even smaller than SMRs, microreactors are up to a thousand times smaller than the traditional nuclear power plant. Microreactors are expected to generate about 50 megawatts of electricity, whereas SMRs can produce up to 300 megawatts. See
nuclear reactor,
nuclear fusion and
AI datacenter.
Single Reactor
Type of Plant (approximate MWe)
Traditional** 300 - 1600
SMR 50 - 300
Microreactor 20 - 50
MWe = MegaWatts electric
** = can have multiple reactors