Whatever Happened to the Small Modular Reactor Revolution?

In the early 2020s, there was great enthusiasm around the development of the small modular reactor (SMR), which was expected to support a nuclear renaissance. However, after supply chain disruptions, technical difficulties, and other challenges, it is unclear whether SMR development is progressing as expected. Nevertheless, some companies continue to invest heavily in the technology, hoping it will help drive innovation and expansion in the nuclear power sector. SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors with a power capacity of up to 300 MW(e) per unit,…