The United Kingdom's regulatory body has granted Rolls-Royce its second approval needed for its GDA application which would soon have its small nuclear reactor up and running on the market. It centers on the 470-megawatt electric facility that will soon provide clean energy in the future, with the company starting its application in April 2022, now reaching Step 2.
After the lengthy initiation and assessment on the British company's latest development on the new kind of power set to change the world.
Rolls-Royce Nuclear Reactor Gets Past 2nd Approval in the UK
Office for Nuclear Regulation
According to the UK's Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Rolls-Royce has recently passed the second step in its GDA application process for its small nuclear reactor.
It centers on the company's 470-megtawatt electric (MWe) Small Modular Reactor (SMR) design.
Rolls Royce's Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process started in April 2022 and it already completed the one-year initiation step, which was followed by the 16-month process for Step 2. During this second stage, the company's design fundamentals was reviewed by the regulatory body, with the assessment checking off the list from Rolls-Royce's compliance to the guidelines.
What is the Next Step for Rolls-Royce's Nuclear Reactor?
Rolls-Royce's SMR nuclear reactor is now starting the Step 3 GDA process, and it will focus on its consultation with its stakeholders and the public regarding the preliminary view of its nuclear reactor design. The company promises that it will continue to focus on developing its future technology, as well as work with regulators to ensure that its reactor is up to standards and complete the process.
During the third stage, consultants may raise comments and have Rolls-Royce respond to them, with regulators using this information as part of their assessment.
Rolls-Royce's Clean Energy Initiatives
The clean energy initiatives of one of the world's most noticeable companies in the automotive world saw its efforts ramp up in the start of this decade, with a significant plan at the end of the current one. Rolls-Royce has committed itself to ceasing its production of gas-powered engines come 2030, similar to other car manufacturers' sustainable plans.
However, the British car company did not stop there, as over the years, the company is known for its electric transportation solution development in the form of an all-electric airplane.
Later on, the company followed up its electrification program with alternative energy sources and still focusing on carbon neutrality with its hydrogen-based jet engine.
Zero emissions are the future for Rolls-Royce's developments as well as transportation solutions, but the company is not limited to this technology only and has since ventured towards nuclear energy. The recent second approval of Rolls-Royce is a significant milestone for their plans for a clean energy future, with its nuclear reactor's GDA process now in stage three.
