SRSCRO July 2022 Update

Hosting New Nuclear - Microreactors

The Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) will be conducting an Energy Communities Forum on Hosting New Nuclear Development on August 3-5, 2022. New and advanced nuclear technologies like small modular reactors, microreactors, fast-neutron reactors, and accident-tolerant fuels are being developed that promise to be smaller, simpler, safer and, importantly, economically competitive. The SRSCRO will be participating on a panel discussing strategic community partnerships.

In past articles, small modular reactors, or SMRs, have been discussed. As a refresher, SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors that have a power capacity from 20 megawatts up to 300 megawatts, which is about one-third of the generating capacity of traditional nuclear power reactors. The smallest operating U.S. nuclear power plant has a capacity of 581 megawatts.

An interesting part of the new nuclear discussion is the attention to microreactors. A microreactor is a small nuclear reactor that can operate as part of the electric grid, independently from the electric grid, or as part of a microgrid to generate up to 20 megawatts thermal energy that can be used to generate electricity and provide heat for industrial applications. Most of these small reactors are designed to be portable – many could be hauled by a semi tractor-trailer. Microreactors are 100 to 1,000 times smaller than conventional nuclear reactors.

Microreactors offer a combination of reliability and operational flexibility that no other small generating system can match. They are expected to operate for years without refueling. Renewed interest in these very small reactors is driven by a number of factors, including the need to generate power on a small scale in remote locations, at deployed military installations, and in locations recovering from natural disasters.

The U.S. Department of Defense is pursuing the concept as its military operations become more energy intensive and require portable, dense power sources. Remote, rural communities in the U.S., many of which fly or truck in diesel to run generators, are considering microreactors since they could generate power on-site. Their potential use as sources of industrial process heat opens potential new markets for zero-carbon energy for desalination, hydrogen production and other industries.

Ukraine: Current Status of Nuclear Power Installations

As events unfold in Ukraine, both the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) collects information from verifiable and reliable sources to support its members’ efforts to maintain an understanding of the state of nuclear safety and radiological protection in that country.

The International Atomic Energy Agency is the world's central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical co-operation in the nuclear field. It works for the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology, contributing to international peace and security and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

The NEA operates within the framework of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and is located just outside Paris, France. The OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) is an intergovernmental agency that facilitates cooperation among countries with advanced nuclear technology infrastructures to seek excellence in nuclear safety, technology, science, environment, and law.

Updates on the status of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants can be found on the following links, check them out:

Nuclear Safety and Security in Ukraine

Ukraine - Current Status of Nuclear Power Installations

In the most recent IAEA update, Ukraine informed the IAEA that eight of the country’s 15 nuclear energy reactors are currently connected to the grid. The seven other reactors are shut down for regular maintenance or held in reserve. Reliable safety reporting systems remain operational at the four plants, and they also continue to have off-site power available.

STEM Camp Launches

What better way to learn about career opportunities than by rolling up your sleeves and participating in activities guided by real-world experts?

Local high school students had fun this month doing just that. High schoolers were immersed in some extraordinary mentoring opportunities thanks to Ruth Patrick Science Education Center’s STEM Forward Career Exploration Camp that launched in July. They gained the inside scoop from STEM professionals about real jobs in the community.

Students discovered robotics and how they are used at SRS from a robotics engineer, traveled to the SRS Museum to learn about the rich STEM history and careers, explored the world of nursing in a simulation lab, visited Savannah River Ecology Lab to meet with a wildlife biologist, learned about meteorology in a television studio, met with a drone pilot to experience flying one, explored the Equine Rescue Center to learn about equine careers, cleaned and classified archaeological finds and more.

The new program is funded by the National Nuclear Security Administration through the WORC II grant in coordination with the SRS Community Reuse Organization (SRSCRO). The purpose is to help local students better understand local career options. STEM Mentoring for K-12 students is a component of the WORC II grant that is fulfilled through a partnership with the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center and the SRS Museum.

In This Issue

Hosting New Nuclear - Microreactors

Ukraine - Current Status of Nuclear Power Installations

STEM Camp Launches

Spotlight

Carolyne S. Williams

Carolyne Sailors Williams passed away on Saturday, July 9, 2022. Carolyne worked with the Barnwell County School District 45 from 1975 through 2008, first as a teacher, then Assistant Principal, Principal, Assistant Superintendent, and ultimately Superintendent for the district.

Carolyne served her community tirelessly, and dedicated herself to making Barnwell a better place. Among a long list of boards and committees, she served as a SRSCRO Board of Director for six years. Her presence will be missed.

Alaska

Fun Facts

(based on personal observations)

1. The Trans-Alaska Pipeline was built in a zigzag pattern so that it becomes flexible if needed, like during an earthquake. There are more than 800 river and stream crossings and three mountain ranges that the pipeline crosses.

2. Of the 20 highest mountain peaks in the United States. 17 of them are in Alaska. Denali, “The Great One”, is the highest at 20,320 feet above sea level.

3. There are more than 3,000 rivers and 3,000,000 lakes in Alaska. The largest is Lake Iliamna which is 1,000 square miles.

4. Alaska has about 100,000 glaciers, covering 5% of the state.

5. Alaska is the largest state in the union (1/5 of the entire USA and twice the size of Texas).

6. The Northern Lights can be seen in Fairbanks 243 days a year.

7. Juneau has no road access to the rest of the state. It is the only capital city in the United States accessible only by boat or plane. It is also the largest, covering 3,108 square miles.

8. Anchorage’s Lake Hood is the world’s largest and busiest seaplane base. Over 800 take offs and landings happen on a busy summer day.

9. The largest salmon caught in Alaska was on the Kenai River. It weighed in at 97.5 lbs.

10. In Alaska, there is approximately 1 bear to every 21 people.

11. Barrow, Alaska has the longest and shortest day. When the sun rises on May 10th, it doesn’t set for nearly 3 months. When it sets on November 18th, residents don’t see the sun for nearly 2 months.

12. The lowest temperature recorded in Alaska was -80 degrees Fahrenheit at Prospect Creek Camp in 1971.

13. Alaska has more than 100 volcanoes.

14. Alaska has more coastline than the rest of the United States combined, roughly 34,000 miles.

15. Dog mushing is the state sport of Alaska, which was once the main mode of transportation. The Iditarod dog sledding race is the state’s largest sporting event.

The 2022 SRSCRO meeting schedule is available here.

Closing Thoughts

"There are more fools in the world than there are people." -- Heinrich Heine

"We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office." -- Aesop

"Never try to tell everything you know. It may take too short a time." -- Norman Ford

"The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn." -- David Russell

"This paperback is very interesting, but I find it will never replace a hardcover book - it makes a very poor doorstop." -- Alfred Hitchcock

"The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because they are generally the same people." -- G. K. Chesterton

"Whatever you may be sure of, be sure of this, that you are dreadfully like other people."

-- James Russell Lowell

"The trouble with jogging is that the ice falls out of your glass." -- Martin Mull

Contact Information

SRSCRO, PO Box 696, Aiken, SC 29802

Staff:

Rick McLeod | President/CEO | 803.508.7402

Mindy Mets | Director of Regional Workforce Programs |803.508.7403

Amy Merry | Administrative & Business Manger | 803.508.7401

Kim Saxon | Assistant Coordinator | 803.508.7656

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