Skip to main content

South Korean organizations unite to innovate in the maritime industry with the development of Small Modular Reactor (SMR) powered ships

Nine South Korean organisations have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to cooperate on the development and demonstration of ships and offshore systems powered with small modular reactors (SMRs). The partners will also develop marine systems and the production of hydrogen using molten salt reactors (MSRs).

Representatives from the partners mark the signing of the MoU (Image: KAERI)
Since July, an advisory panel - the Green Transformation (GX) Executive Committee - has been considering the implementation of major changes in energy, all industries, and the economy and society in order to achieve the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The government's GX implementation meeting was held on 22 December, during which a roadmap for the next ten years was agreed as a "basic policy for the realisation of GX".

Under the new policy - which describes nuclear power as "a power source that contributes to energy security and has a high decarbonisation effect" - Japan will maximise the use of existing reactors by restarting as many of them as possible and prolonging the operating life of aging ones beyond the current 60-year limit. The government also said the country will develop advanced reactors to replace those that are decommissioned.

Under revised regulations which came into force in July 2013, Japanese reactors have a nominal operating period of 40 years. Extensions may be granted once only and are limited to a maximum of 20 years, contingent on exacting safety requirements.

On 21 December, Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority approved a draft of a new rule that would allow the reactors to be operated for more than the current limit of 60 years. Under the amendment, the operators of reactors in use for 30 years or longer must formulate a long-term reactor management plan and gain approval from the regulator at least once every 10 years if they are to continue to operate.

The new policy will effectively extend the period reactors can remain in operation beyond 60 years by excluding the time they spent offline for inspections from the total service life.

Under the new policy, Japan will also develop and construct "next-generation innovative reactors" to replace about 20 reactors that are set to be decommissioned.

Bills to implement the new policy will be submitted to parliament during the ongoing session.
Nuclear policies vary by country, but some common policies include:

Nuclear energy development: This policy outlines the goals and objectives for the development of nuclear energy within a country, including the construction and operation of nuclear power plants.

Nuclear safety and security: This policy sets guidelines and regulations to ensure the safe and secure operation of nuclear power plants, and to minimize the risk of accidents and security threats.

Nuclear waste management: This policy addresses the disposal of nuclear waste, including the storage, transportation, and disposal of radioactive material.

Decommissioning of nuclear facilities: This policy outlines the procedures for decommissioning nuclear facilities, including the safe shutdown of reactors and the disposal of radioactive waste.

International cooperation: This policy governs international cooperation and information exchange between countries on nuclear energy and related issues, including safety, security, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Nuclear non-proliferation: This policy seeks to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and to promote disarmament, through measures such as international treaties and inspections.

Nuclear energy research and development: This policy provides funding and support for research and development in nuclear energy, including the development of new reactor designs and fuel cycle technologies.

Nuclear energy regulation: This policy outlines the roles and responsibilities of regulatory agencies, and sets standards and requirements for the construction, operation, and decommissioning of nuclear power plants.

To find more on SMR kindly read this article:
https://alphaxioms.blogspot.com/2023/02/poland-leads-charge-to-sustainable.html

source:(https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/South-Korean-partnership-to-develop-SMR-powered-sh)

#SouthKorea #Maritime #SMR



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Amsterdam Strikes Geothermal Gold: Hot, Thick, Permeable Reservoir Confirmed

Breakthrough Beneath the Beach: Amsterdam Region Hits Geothermal Paydirt at Strandeiland By: Robert Buluma The Netherlands just took a giant leap toward fossil-free heating. On the artificial island of Strandeiland (part of Amsterdam’s fast-growing IJburg district), the SCAN exploration well has officially confirmed what the geothermal community has been hoping for: a thick, hot, and , most importantly permeable reservoir in the Slochteren Formation. Key numbers that matter:   Reservoir thickness: 152 meters   Bottom-hole temperature: 66 °C   Permeability: confirmed via successful production and injection tests   That’s not screaming-hot by Icelandic standards, but for direct-use district heating in one of Europe’s densest urban areas, 66 °C is more than enough to supply thousands of homes with clean, baseload heat – forever. Why This Well Changes Everything for the Netherlands The Dutch government launched the SCAN program (Seismic Campaign Nethe...

Geothermal-Powered Greenhouses: Qingyun County's Leap Toward Sustainable, Year-Round Agriculture in Shandong

Harnessing Geothermal Energy to Power Modern Agriculture: How Qingyun County Is Redefining Sustainable Food Production in Shandong By:  Robert Bulum a As winter tightens its grip across northern China, most agricultural regions brace for declining productivity, rising energy costs, and increased environmental pressure. Yet in Qingyun County, located in China’s eastern Shandong Province, a different story is unfolding,one where geothermal energy is quietly transforming agriculture into a resilient, low-carbon, high-yield enterprise. At the heart of this transformation lies the Shandong Shuifa Aerospace Modern Agriculture Industrial Park, where geothermal energy has become a critical enabler of year-round food production, economic efficiency, and environmental sustainability. A Warm Oasis in the Depth of Winter Shortly after the Minor Snow solar term, temperatures outside the greenhouses in Qingyun County drop sharply. Inside the intelligent greenhouse complex, however, conditions re...

Zanskar’s Big Blind: First Blind Geothermal Discovery in 30 Years

Big Blind: The Geothermal Discovery That Changes Everything By: Robert Buluma Utah startup  Zanskar Geothermal quietly dropped one of the most important announcements in American energy in decades. They discovered and confirmed “Big Blind” ,the first completely blind, commercial-grade geothermal system found in the United States in over thirty years. Let that sink in. No hot springs.   No fumaroles.   No steaming ground.   No prior wells.   Zero surface expression whatsoever. Just desert, sagebrush, and – 7,000 feet below,  a reservoir hot enough and permeable enough to support gigawatt-scale power production. This isn’t incremental progress. This is a paradigm breaker. Why “Blind” Discoveries Matter So Much For the last 40 years, geothermal development in the U.S. has been geographically handcuffed. You could only build plants where nature advertised the resource on the surface – think Yellowstone, The Geysers, or Imperial Valley. Ever...

Germany Unveils Groundbreaking KfW–Munich Re Program to De-Risk Deep Geothermal Heat Projects

Germany Launches Landmark Financing Program to Accelerate Deep Geothermal Heat Projects By: Robert Buluma Germany has taken a decisive step toward securing a climate-neutral heat future. On December 18, 2025, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWK), KfW Development Bank , and global reinsurer Munich Re officially launched a groundbreaking funding program designed to unlock large-scale investments in deep geothermal energy for municipal and industrial heat supply. The new initiative, known as the KfW Geothermal Promotional Loan (KfW-Förderkredit Geothermie), directly addresses one of the most persistent bottlenecks in geothermal development: the high financial risk associated with drilling deep geothermal wells. By combining low-interest loans with comprehensive risk coverage, the program is set to significantly accelerate geothermal deployment across Germany. Why Deep Geothermal Matters for Germany’s Heat Transition While Germany has made remarkable progre...

Geothermal Projects In Africa, Countries Overview

 Geothermal Projects in Africa: Country-wise Overview By : Robert Buluma Africa is increasingly turning to geothermal energy as a sustainable solution to meet its growing electricity demands. With abundant geothermal resources spread across the continent, several countries have embarked on ambitious projects to harness this clean and renewable energy source. Let's delve into the geothermal projects in various African countries, highlighting key players and prospects. Algeria Algeria is exploring its geothermal potential, particularly in the northern regions. Although in the early stages, initiatives are underway to assess feasibility and potential locations for geothermal power plants.  Burundi Burundi has shown interest in developing its geothermal resources, primarily in the northwest region near Lake Tanganyika. The government is actively seeking partnerships with international firms to kickstart exploration and development efforts. Comoros The Comoros Islands are situated ...

Fervo Energy To Partner With Turboden In 400 MW Utah Geothermal Project

Unleashing the Power of Earth:  Turboden and  Fervo Energy Partner to Revolutionize Geothermal Energy By: Robert Buluma In the heart of the rugged landscapes of southwest Utah, a groundbreaking collaboration is underway to harness the Earth's natural heat and propel the world towards a greener, more sustainable future. Turboden , a trailblazer in Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) systems, has joined forces with Fervo Energy , a pioneer in enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), to embark on an ambitious journey towards redefining geothermal energy production. The Cape Station project stands as a testament to this alliance, marking Fervo Energy largest commercial endeavor in the geothermal energy sector to date. Positioned to become a beacon of innovation, Cape Station aims to revolutionize the way we harness energy from beneath the Earth's surface, with an anticipated total project capacity of approximately 400 MW. This endeavor not only symbolizes a transformative leap towards carbon-...

A Quiet Revolution Underground: Prenzlau’s Geothermal Leap Toward a Fully Renewable Heat Future

Prenzlau’s Geothermal Breakthrough: A Decisive Step Toward a Fully Renewable Heat Future By: Robert Buluma The city of Prenzlau, located in northeastern Germany, has reached a major milestone in its transition toward sustainable energy. In December 2025, Stadtwerke Prenzlau announced a decisive breakthrough in its geothermal project after successfully encountering geothermal water at a depth of 983 meters. This discovery represents a critical step forward for the city’s ambition to fully decarbonize its heat supply and positions Prenzlau as a leading example of how medium-sized towns can harness geothermal energy for district heating. The geothermal water discovered during drilling operations is estimated to be around 200 million years old and is contained within a saline sandstone formation deep underground. With a temperature of approximately 44°C and a planned production rate of 130 cubic meters per hour, the resource offers a reliable and continuous source of renewable heat. A test...

Hyundai Builds World’s Largest Single-Unit Geothermal Power Plant

Hyundai E&C Breaks Record: Building the World’s Largest Single-Unit Geothermal Power Plant in Indonesia By:  Robert Buluma In a remarkable feat of engineering, Hyundai Engineering & Construction ( Hyundai E&C) has just completed the Sarulla Geothermal Power Plant (Sarulla GPP) in North Sumatra, Indonesia now officially recognized as the world’s largest single-unit geothermal power plant with a capacity of 330 MW. This milestone not only showcases Korean engineering excellence on the global stage but also marks a significant step forward for clean, reliable renewable energy in Southeast Asia. A Giant Leap for Geothermal Energy Located in the Sarulla region of North Sumatra, the plant consists of three units that together deliver 330 megawatts of clean electricity enough to power approximately 2.1 million Indonesian households. What makes Sarulla truly special is its single-unit design. While many geothermal projects around the world are built in smaller, modular phases...

American Critical Resources and Plum Acquisition Corp. IV Sign LOI for SPAC Merger to Advance U.S. Geothermal Lithium Project

Revolutionizing Energy: The Synergy of Geothermal Power and Lithium Extraction at Hell's Kitchen Posted by  Robert Buluma  on December 20, 2025 In an era where the world is racing toward sustainable energy solutions, the intersection of geothermal power and lithium production is emerging as a game-changer. As electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy storage, and advanced technologies demand ever-increasing supplies of critical minerals, innovative projects are stepping up to meet the challenge. One such groundbreaking initiative is the Hell's Kitchen project by American Critical Resources (ACR), a subsidiary of Controlled Thermal Resources Holdings Inc. (CTR) . This California-based endeavor not only harnesses the Earth's natural heat for clean electricity but also extracts lithium a vital component in batteries ,directly from geothermal brines. With a recent announcement of a proposed business combination with Plum Acquisition Corp. IV (Nasdaq: PLMK), a special purpose ac...

Unlocking America’s Hidden Power: Congressman Fulcher’s Bold Push for Geothermal Energy and Lower Energy Costs

Congressman Russ Fulcher Introduces Landmark Bill to Unlock Geothermal Energy and Lower Costs Across the U.S. By:  Robert Buluma WASHINGTON, D.C., November 25, 2025 – U.S. Congressman Russ Fulcher (Idaho-01) has reintroduced a pivotal piece of legislation designed to accelerate geothermal energy development in the United States. The bill, H.R. 5576 – the Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act, aims to streamline the permitting and exploration process for geothermal projects, placing geothermal energy on par with oil and gas exploration on public lands. As energy demand in the United States surges, driven by rapid technological advancements, including artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and high-capacity data centers, the need for reliable and clean baseload energy has never been more critical. Geothermal energy, a stable and renewable resource, offers a significant solution, yet its development has long been hampered by federal regulations and lengthy permitti...