Type Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
Thermal vs. Fast Either
Materials Coolant and moderator vary
Capacity Less than 300 MW
Sample Cost Predictions $1-$3 billion (NuScale)
Type Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs)
Thermal vs. Fast Either
Materials Coolant is generally molten fluoride salt; moderator varies.
Capacity Varies: <300 MW for SMR; Terrestrial Energy MSRs range up to 600 MWe
Sample Cost Predictions Less than $1 billion total and about $50 per megawatt-hour (Terrestrial Energy)
Type Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactors (SFRs)
Thermal vs. Fast Fast
Materials Coolant is generally liquid sodium; no moderator is used.
Capacity Varies: As a small modular reactor, 50-300 MW; can range up to 1,500 MW
Sample Cost Predictions Overnight capital cost estimated at $1633/kW for 1500MW plant
Type Lead-Cooled Fast Reactors (LFRs)
Thermal vs. Fast Fast
Materials Coolant is molten lead or lead-bismuth eutectic alloy; no moderator used.
Capacity Examples range from a 25-MW micro-reactor to the 450-MW Westinghouse Lead Fast Reactor
Sample Cost Predictions Overnight construction cost estimated at ~$200,000 per kW for ELECTRA model, with high uncertainty.
Type Gas-Cooled Fast Reactors (GFRs)
Thermal vs. Fast Fast
Materials Coolant is generally helium gas; no moderator is used.
Capacity Examples range from 0.5 MW to 2,400 MWth thermal power capacity
Sample Cost Predictions $3,800 per kW for General Atomics's 500-MW Energy Multiplier Module
Type Supercritical Water-Cooled Reactors (SCWRs)
Thermal vs. Fast Either
Materials Coolant is supercritical water; moderator is generally water.
Capacity Varies, including ranges between 300 MW and 1,700 MW
Sample Cost Predictions For a submarine powered by SWCRs: $2.71 billion in capital cost, plus $50 million annual operating cost
Type High Temperature Gas Reactors (HTGRs)
Thermal vs. Fast Thermal
Materials Coolant is generally helium gas; moderator is generally graphite.
Capacity Often designed as SMRs with capacities under 300 MW
Sample Cost Predictions 200-MW first-of-a-kind HTGR (2015$): ~$4 billion capital investment; $76 million per year for operation, maintenance, and fuel
Type Micro-Reactors
Thermal vs. Fast Either
Materials Coolant and moderator vary
Capacity 2-50 MW
Sample Cost Predictions Varies depending on type of reactor
Type Fusion Reactors
Thermal vs. Fast N/A
Materials Coolants may include water and helium; moderator may be water.
Capacity ITER Theoretical Example: 500 MW
Sample Cost Predictions For ITER, estimates range between $22-65 billion
Type Thermal vs. Fast Materials Capacity Sample Cost Predictions
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)EitherCoolant and moderator varyLess than 300 MW$1-$3 billion (NuScale)
Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs)EitherCoolant is generally molten fluoride salt; moderator varies.Varies: <300 MW for SMR; Terrestrial Energy MSRs range up to 600 MWeLess than $1 billion total and about $50 per megawatt-hour (Terrestrial Energy)
Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactors (SFRs)FastCoolant is generally liquid sodium; no moderator is used.Varies: As a small modular reactor, 50-300 MW; can range up to 1,500 MWOvernight capital cost estimated at $1633/kW for 1500MW plant
Lead-Cooled Fast Reactors (LFRs)FastCoolant is molten lead or lead-bismuth eutectic alloy; no moderator used.Examples range from a 25-MW micro-reactor to the 450-MW Westinghouse Lead Fast ReactorOvernight construction cost estimated at ~$200,000 per kW for ELECTRA model, with high uncertainty.
Gas-Cooled Fast Reactors (GFRs)FastCoolant is generally helium gas; no moderator is used.Examples range from 0.5 MW to 2,400 MWth thermal power capacity$3,800 per kW for General Atomics's 500-MW Energy Multiplier Module
Supercritical Water-Cooled Reactors (SCWRs)EitherCoolant is supercritical water; moderator is generally water.Varies, including ranges between 300 MW and 1,700 MWFor a submarine powered by SWCRs: $2.71 billion in capital cost, plus $50 million annual operating cost
High Temperature Gas Reactors (HTGRs)ThermalCoolant is generally helium gas; moderator is generally graphite.Often designed as SMRs with capacities under 300 MW200-MW first-of-a-kind HTGR (2015$): ~$4 billion capital investment; $76 million per year for operation, maintenance, and fuel
Micro-ReactorsEitherCoolant and moderator vary2-50 MWVaries depending on type of reactor
Fusion ReactorsN/ACoolants may include water and helium; moderator may be water.ITER Theoretical Example: 500 MWFor ITER, estimates range between $22-65 billion