WESTINGHOUSE eVinci ™ Micro reactor

WESTINGHOUSE eVinci ™ Micro reactor

Product Overview and Core Technologies

Product positioning: Westinghouse eVinci ™ Micro reactors are "nuclear energy cells" developed based on mature heat pipe technology, aimed at addressing the global demand for innovative, transportable, safe, and reliable zero carbon energy, and filling the energy supply gap in remote areas and special scenarios.

Core technology: With heat pipe technology as the core, this technology has been applied in the fields of aerospace and electronic equipment for 50-60 years, with millions of hours of operating experience; Through passive and efficient heat transfer, there is no need for forced flow cooling systems, completely eliminating moving parts such as pumps and valves, simplifying system complexity.

Core components: TRISO solid fuel, graphite pellets, heat pipes, main heat exchanger, reactivity control drum (power regulation/shutdown), shutdown rods, with no additional moving parts in the overall design.

Key parameters and core characteristics

Category specific specifications

Capacity parameter power generation capacity: 5 MWe; Thermal capacity:~6MWhth

Operating cycle of over 8 years at full power without the need for material replacement

Design features: no moving parts, passive heat transfer, no high-pressure operation, solid fuel technology

Construction and deployment of full factory assembly, ground construction, railway/barge transportation, rapid deployment, and scalability

Built in strong security features, no high risks associated with traditional nuclear power, supporting deployment in city centers/campuses

Environmentally friendly zero carbon emissions, replacing diesel generators and reducing carbon footprint

Only a small number of personnel are needed for operation and maintenance on site, with extremely low maintenance requirements

Analysis of Core Advantages

Innovation and Efficiency: Heat pipe technology simplifies traditional reactor systems, eliminates complex components such as pumps and valves, and achieves high passive heat transfer efficiency without the need for high-pressure operation, reducing the risk of failure.

Transportable deployment: After the entire factory assembly is completed, it can be transported by railway or barge without complex on-site construction, and can be quickly deployed in areas without power grid coverage.

Ultimate safety: Using solid-state TRISO fuel and graphite pellets, there is no high pressure or large demand for cooling water resources. The passive safety system minimizes the risk of accidents and is suitable for sensitive scenarios such as cities and campuses.

Reliable and Durable: Designed with no moving parts to enhance stability, it can operate continuously in harsh environments, with 24/7 uninterrupted power supply and no need for material replacement for over 8 years, reducing maintenance costs.

Environmental Collaboration: Zero carbon power generation can provide regional heating and seamlessly collaborate with renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower to help decarbonize the energy structure.

Core application scenarios

Scenario type, specific scenario application value

Replace diesel generators in remote/special off grid communities, mines, military bases, and oil and gas operation areas to solve fuel transportation problems and provide stable zero carbon electricity

Research universities in institutional settings provide electricity and regional heating to support decarbonization; Provide a platform for nuclear technology research and talent cultivation

Renewable energy supporting renewable energy in energy synergy scenarios compensates for the intermittent shortcomings of wind and solar energy, and builds a stable zero carbon energy system

Deployment and Regulatory Progress

Deployment advantages: Ground construction does not require complex underground engineering, rapid deployment and support for large-scale expansion, on-site operation, maintenance, and security only require a small number of personnel.

Regulatory status: Actively promoting regulatory approvals in the United States and Canada, laying the foundation for subsequent commercial deployment.

Value added: In addition to electricity supply, it can provide process heat for regional heating, helping remote communities and institutions achieve sustainable economic development.

Key issue

Question 1 (Technological Innovation): eVinci ™ What is the core technological innovation of microreactors? What are the simplifications compared to traditional reactors?

Answer: The core technological innovation is passive heat transfer technology for heat pipes. Compared to traditional reactors, simplification is reflected in three aspects: ① Eliminating the forced cooling system, eliminating the need for moving parts such as pumps and valves, and relying on heat pipes to achieve efficient passive heat transfer; ② No high voltage operation requirements, reducing system complexity and safety risks; ③ Adopting solid-state TRISO fuel and graphite core block design to replace traditional liquid fuel systems, further simplifying the structure and improving safety.

Question 2 (Application Adaptation): eVinci ™ Why are micro reactors suitable for remote areas and university settings? What are the core adaptation advantages?

Answer: The core advantages of adapting to remote areas are: ① transportability (full factory assembly, railway/barge transportation), which solves the problem of fuel transportation in remote areas; ② 8 years without the need for material replacement, reducing the frequency of operation and maintenance; ③ Replace diesel generators, achieve zero carbon power supply, and adapt to scenarios without grid coverage. The core advantages of adapting to university scenarios are: ① integrated supply of zero carbon electricity and regional heating, helping to decarbonize campuses; ② Mature and secure technology, deployable in campus environments; ③ Provide research and talent development platforms for nuclear technology, energy science, and other fields, in line with the needs of research-oriented universities.

Question 3 (Sustainability and Collaboration): eVinci ™ What is the role of microreactors in decarbonization process? How to collaborate with renewable energy?

Answer: Decarbonization effect: ① Zero carbon emissions, replacing fossil fuels such as diesel and coal for power generation, reducing carbon footprint; ② Adapt to remote areas and special scenarios, filling the deployment gap of traditional zero carbon energy (wind/photovoltaic); ③ Provide additional functions such as regional heating to expand zero carbon application scenarios. Collaborative approach with renewable energy: ① Compensate for the intermittent defects of wind and solar energy, provide 24/7 continuous power supply, and ensure the stability of the energy system; ② It can be quickly deployed and expanded, flexibly matched according to the installed capacity of renewable energy, and build an energy structure that is "zero carbon oriented, collaborative and complementary".