Supporting the first EU-designed small modular reactor technology

Tractebel has just signed a contract with Centre national d'équipement de production d'électricité (CNEPE), Électricité de France (EDF)’s engineering centre located in Tours, France, to contribute to the development of the NUWARD™ small modular reactor (SMR) project. In partnership with Tractebel company Laborelec, our innovative experts will conduct studies for the completion of the conceptual design of the first SMR in the European Union. The NUWARD™ consortium, led by EDF, brings together the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), TechnicAtome, Naval Group and Framatome. Its design will consist of a 340 MWe pressurized water SMR plant with two reactors of 170 MWe each. It will be based on first-class French nuclear pressurized water reactor technologies. As a frontrunner in the deployment of SMRs in Europe, and thanks to its extensive nuclear expertise, Tractebel will contribute to making the NUWARD™ SMR a reality.    

Conceptual design phase 

Our engineers have already carried out technical and economic studies to confirm several design options. The new contract, which runs through October 2022, includes the conceptual design studies for parts of the conventional island (turbine hall), the balance of plant (water intake and servicing system) and the 3-D modeling of the buildings housing these systems. Our experts will also manage interfaces with the different partners to make sure that the data received or provided are communicated clearly and in a timely fashion. They will also be responsible for the civil engineering preliminary studies and the evaluation of the costs related to our scope. In addition, and in conjunction with the other NUWARD™ partners, Tractebel will draw up the site layout. 

Mock-up of the future NUWARD™ small modular reactor facility. Copyright @EDF2021

Basic design phase 

The next phase of the project, the basic design completion, is expected to start in 2023. Tractebel is already mobilizing its resources to support EDF during this new phase, especially in the fields of systems studies and civil and layout engineering, but also to conduct the electrical and safety/licensing studies. 

 “We are proud to take part in the development of one of the first SMR designs in Europe that will contribute to the EU’s carbon-neutral by 2050 objective. The project requires diverse engineering skills (systems, civil, 3-D modeling, etc.) that we can provide to NUWARD™. Around 20 of our engineers are currently working on the project. We look forward to continuing to support EDF and its partners in delivering the NUWARD™ project successfully.”  

Sébastien Pageaud, Project Manager 

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