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Advanced Modular Reactors
Advanced Modular Reactors, or AMRs, are Generation IV reactors and are going to be the future of the nuclear industry. They will use new technological innovations compared to current reactor designs.
What are Generation IV Reactors?
Generation IV reactors are the upgraded version of nuclear reactors. They are the next big thing making nuclear power even better. People from all over the world are working together to design these reactors to make nuclear energy safer and more eco-friendly. Generation IV reactors are all about being super safe, super efficient, and creating much less nuclear waste than the current reactors. They are basically the future of clean energy!
Key features of Generation IV reactors encompass:
Generation IV International Forum (GIF)
The Generation IV International Forum (GIF) is a global alliance comprising 13 countries focused on nuclear energy. The original members include:
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Canada
- France
- Japan
- South Korea
- South Africa
- UK
- USA
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Canada
- France
- Japan
- South Korea
- South Africa
- UK
- USA
Switzerland, China, Russia, Australia, and the European Union later joined. GIF’s goal is to collaborate on research and development rather than building reactors.
Also, the USA, Canada, France, Japan, and the UK committed to joint research and information exchange on these six technologies. The systems, designed for deployment between 2010 and 2030, utilise closed fuel cycles to minimise waste. Three are fast neutron reactors, one is epithermal, and two operate with slow neutrons. Cooling methods vary, including light water, helium, lead-bismuth, sodium, or fluoride salt, with the latter three offering safety advantages at low pressure.
Please see the GIF major events on the below timeline:
The Generation IV International Forum (GIF)
was launched by the US Department of
Energy in 2000 and officially chartered in 2001.
In late 2002, after two years of consideration
and reviewing around 100 concepts, the Generation
IV International Forum (GIF), representing ten
countries, identified six nuclear reactor technologies
as the future of clean, safe, and cost-effective energy.
The Generation IV International Forum (GIF) Framework
Agreement is an international agreement aimed at the
development of advanced nuclear energy systems and was
signed by 10 member states in 2005.
In 2011, the 13 members extended the GIF charter indefinitely.
The UK ratified the Framework Agreement in 2018.
In 2019, Terrestrial Energy, a Canadian company,
became the first private sector member.
The Generation IV International Forum (GIF)
was launched by the US Department of
Energy in 2000 and officially chartered in 2001.
In late 2002, after two years of
consideration and reviewing around
100 concepts, the Generation IV
International Forum (GIF),
representing ten countries,
identified six nuclear reactor
technologies as the future of clean,
safe, and cost-effective energy.
The Generation IV International
Forum (GIF) Framework Agreement
is an international agreement aimed
at the development of advanced
nuclear energy systems and was
signed by 10 member states in 2005.
In 2011, the 13 members extended
the GIF charter indefinitely.
The UK ratified the Framework Agreement
in 2018.
In 2019, Terrestrial Energy, a Canadian company,
became the first private sector member.
Types of Generation IV Reactors
High-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR)
A High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGR) uses super hot helium gas as the coolant. They operate at really high temperatures, even hotter than 1000°C. Why is that cool? Well, the hotter it gets, the more electricity it can make.
Find out more here
Matt Moore
The Generation IV International Forum – Technology Systems
