Company JAVYS, a. s., became a member of the European Industrial Alliance for Small Modular Reactors (SMR) on 30 April 2024 and will participate as a full member in the first General Assembly of the Alliance in Brussels, which is tentatively scheduled for the end of May. The Alliance aims to facilitate and accelerate the research, development and deployment of small modular reactors in Europe beyond 2030.
SMRs are smaller compared to current conventional nuclear reactors, both in terms of physical size and power. The planned licensing, mass industrial production of individual modules and their subsequent installation at the Client's site pave the way for a faster preparation and approval phase, as well as for shorter construction and commissioning period. Due to their parameters, small modular reactors can contribute to a significant decarbonisation of industries such as transport, chemical or steel, heating or hydrogen production in a relatively short timeframe.
Management of company JAVYS, a. s. considers membership in the Alliance not only as an opportunity to actively participate in the upcoming crucial changes in the nuclear power industry with a positive impact on Slovakia. "As a company responsible for the back-end of the nuclear fuel cycle, we see the future mainly in the further development of the so-called Advanced Modular Reactors (AMR), which will enable the reuse of spent nuclear fuel from the operation of existing nuclear power plants. Some AMRs enable the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel and utilizing the part of the fuel that cannot be used efficiently by existing nuclear power plants. Construction and operation of advanced modular reactors will allow significantly reducing the quantity and especially the toxicity of high-level radioactive waste from the operation of these plants, while substantially shortening their storage time. This represents a major shift in nuclear power, which in effect will allow the fuel cycle to be closed. JAVYS has a long history of performing activities in the back-end of the nuclear fuel cycle in Slovakia with an emphasis on safety, reliability and long-term sustainability. We have experts with more than forty years of experience, as well as young, progressive nuclear-oriented colleagues, so we are convinced that we can make a significant contribution to the goals set by the Alliance and move Slovakia closer to the next breakthrough milestone in the field of nuclear energy," said Vladimír Švigár, Chairman of the Board of Directors of JAVYS, a. s.
Establishment of the European Industrial Alliance for Small Modular Reactors
The European Commission (EC) announced the establishment of the European Industrial Alliance for Small Modular Reactors on 6 February 2024. The Alliance was founded on principles of European Green Deal and the policy packages Fit for 55 and REPowerEU, which play a central role in driving the energy transition and decarbonisation of industry in Europe. Given the significant progress in the development of small modular reactors, the EC expects that they can play an important role in integrated energy systems that provide low-carbon electricity. This expectation is based on the assumption that small modular reactors, in combination with renewable sources, can respond in a relatively short time to the upcoming high demand for clean electricity and large quantities of hydrogen. They will thus contribute to reliable, safe and sustainable production of low-carbon energy and heat in addition to renewables.
The Alliance operates through specific working groups and its task is to identify the most promising, yet safe and cost-effective SMR technologies, support these projects, identify potential investment barriers, analyse funding opportunities and identify areas for further research and development. At the same time, it wants to create ways to involve potential industrial users of SMRs (e.g. energy-intensive industries, hydrogen producers, etc.) in the process. The Alliance also provides a strong platform for enhanced contacts between project promoters, European nuclear safety regulators and the regulatory authorities in different EU countries. It is open to all public and private legal entities that meet the specific eligibility criteria set out in the Reference Terms and Conditions.
In April 2023, the European Nuclear Society (ENS) declared that small modular reactors represented an important step towards a decarbonised and autonomous Europe. According to the ENS, the climate crisis requires the promotion of all prospective solutions for emission-free energy production and their exploration should be at the forefront of individual climate policies. At the same time, participation in the development of new technical solutions creates a number of opportunities for different businesses - suppliers of products and services, as well as for research and educational institutions.
Ms. Miriam Žiaková
Spokesperson
