Fermi Energia today signed cooperation agreements with Finnish energy company Fortum and Belgian engineering company Tractebel to start closer collaboration on the Fermi Energia small modular reactor deployment project. The companies will focus on exploring suitable licensing models and on preliminary studies for the deployment of a small light water reactor.
The companies agreed to share the results of the studies. "For us, the greatest value of this cooperation is the start of mutual learning through practical work with current nuclear power producers. The introduction of nuclear power requires in-depth analysis and further development of many of the elements involved to make it competitive with other alternatives. By working together to find the best solutions in the early stages, we can be sure that there will be greater mutual understanding in the later stages," said Kalev Kallemets, Fermi Energia board member and co-founder.
"The desynchronisation of the Baltic countries from the Russian energy grid by 2025, which also means the end of electricity imports from the Baltic countries, is fast approaching. Small modular reactors are a way to ensure the security of supply of carbon-free energy for Estonia and the Baltic States in all weathers," Kallemets added.
As a result of the agreements, Fermi Energy is set to become the European Union's leading small modular reactor deployment project. "These agreements create a model of cooperation to support Estonia with the know-how and capabilities to implement a small modular reactor deployment project to ensure that nuclear energy makes a strong contribution to the European Union's carbon neutrality goal by 2050," said Denis Dumont, Director General of Tracteble's Nuclear Energy Division.
"Fortum has already started research and development on small modular reactors several years ago. Small module reactors are a potential future option for decarbonising heat and power generation. We are delighted to be working with Fermi on this very interesting topic," said Petra Lundström, Fortum's Vice President Nuclear.
Fermi Energia is in the process of discussing similar Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with two other European nuclear companies on the in-depth analysis of spent fuel management and the timing and planning of the construction of the SMR. All studies will be finalised by the end of 2020 and made public in early 2021.
- On 1 January 2020, Fortum and Tractebel will present at the Fermi Energy Annual Conference in Tallinn (https://fermi.ee/konverents/) will present the results of their research in the presentations "The small modular reactor design cycle and the necessary competences" and "Comparative analysis of small modular reactors".
Fortum is a Finnish state-owned energy company with a total nuclear generation capacity of 2819 MW. Tractebel is one of the world's leading engineering and consulting companies, providing integrated services focused on unlocking opportunities for a more sustainable and carbon-free future.
Fermi Energia is a privately-owned small modular reactor deployment company aiming to achieve the first deployment of SMR in the European Union to achieve carbon neutrality and security of electricity supply in Estonia and the Baltic States.