Small Modular Reactors are Gaining Steam Globally. Will Any Get Built?
It’s a very exciting day to discuss nuclear power. Electric demand is higher than it’s been since the 1950s.
So what is a small modular nuclear reactor (SMR)? Well, that would be the equivalent of a nuclear submarine or carrier. Small nuclear power and supporting equipment that, once approved, could be built in a controlled area and shipped where needed.
The US has the most experience in building SMRs. Consider that the US has:
• 72 nuclear powered submarines
• 10 nuclear aircraft carriers
• Over 12 nuclear powered reactors have been sent into space
So why don’t we have a modular nuclear reactor power plant?
Time frame: it takes 10-15 years to build each ship.
Cost: compared to coal, solar, natural gas, wind, nuclear power costs 5-25 times more for each kilowatt hour.
The US has the experience and know-how to build SMRs.
Currently, 74 SMRs are in various design considerations worldwide.
The US has one shipyard that builds nuclear submarines and one shipyard that builds nuclear aircraft carriers. Each has been trying to hire welders, shipwrights, and engineers for over 3 years to be able to build the ships faster.
SMRs are nuclear-powered reactors; as such, they require extensive design, expert construction, and professional operation.
Let’s continue to pursue such a goal, but it should not come at the expense of what is economical, technically feasible, and ready to deploy now.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer serving commercial customers in the states of Illinois, and Indiana. We offer Service Plans that will provide electric and natural gas at wholesale pricing direct to customers without any utility markup. Our Service Plans work with the local utility to provide seamless service and annual energy savings. Service Plans include Guaranteed SavingsTM, ManagedPriceTM, ManagedGreenTM Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
Realgy owns and operates 11 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations. Soon to be 12 with the inclusion of Highland Park newest recreation center West Ridge Center – New Community Recreation Facility Coming in 2026 | Park District of Highland Park
Additional Information:
Small modular reactors are gaining steam globally.… | Canary Media
Trump’s push to keep coal plants running could cost consumers billions
If you ran a company, would you need the government to tell you what you needed to sell and for how much?
As a free-market economy, our utilities are franchised by each State in which they operate. They are required to pursue the most cost effective energy and make 20 year forecast and plans to do so. These plans are rigorously reviewed and commitments made to ensure the power needs are met.
The President of the United States has many powers based on his primary responsibility; protect the Constitution of the United State. In this capacity, an emergency was declared and the Present decided to override over 10 years of planning to order the continued operation of aged and decrepit coal fired power plants. The reason; national security. How does replacing an obsolete coal fired power plant with new generation challenge the security of the Unit State? Perhaps, the President is making a political statement.
Let’s look at how.
Utilities, no longer own all there generation plants. However, utilities contract to buy the energy they produce. Utilities pursue cost effective energy. The President’s order will upend their planning and require them to buy the coal plants output, which IS MORE expensive than the energy they are currently purchasing. YES, the coal plants COST more than the power plants that have been built to replace them.
State and utility companies have planned for hundreds of gigawatts of new power plants most of it from solar, wind and battery. These power plants are utility grade; meaning they will be operated in a baseload continuous generation mode.
It is estimated that continuing to operate the obsolete coal plants will cost the US economy over $15 billion/year.
That’s just the current cost.
Consider the US is experiencing some of the largest projected electric growth — over 3% per year through 2024.
So instead of continuing to replace aging and obsolete plants with new technology and more reliable energy generation, WE WON’T BE ABLE TO. Not because it’s not cost effective, not because it’s not more efficient, but because the President wants to believe that PAYING MORE and NOT PLANNING is making us great again.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer serving commercial customers in the states of Illinois, and Indiana. We offer Service Plans that will provide electric and natural gas at wholesale pricing direct to customers without any utility markup. Our Service Plans work with the local utility to provide seamless service and annual energy savings. Service Plans include Guaranteed SavingsTM, ManagedPriceTM, ManagedGreenTM Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
Realgy owns and operates 11 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Park District of Highland Park on 20 July 2025 signed up for their 2nd location with Realgy for PV solar installation.
Additional Information:
Trump’s push to keep coal plants running could cost… | Canary Media
