Dresser-Rand has entered into a service agreement with NuScale Power, LLC.

Dresser-Rand has entered into a service agreement with NuScale Power, LLC.

The agreement allows for an integrated delivery model that includes design, engineering, U.S.-based manufacturing, and operational support from Dresser-Rand’s worldwide service center network. The goal is to ensure optimum performance of the turbine generators that will be paired with NuScale Power’s small modulator reactors (SMR).

NuScale Power LLC, is developing an inherently safe, modular, scalable commercial nuclear power technology.  Fluor Corporation is the majority investor in NuScale. NuScale’s design offers the benefits of carbon-free nuclear power but takes away the issues presented by the cost of installing large capacity.

A nuclear power plant using NuScale’s technology is comprised of individual nuclear power modules; each produces 45 MW with its own combined containment vessel and reactor system, and its own designated turbine-generator set. A power plant can include as many as 12 NuScale integral PWR modules to produce as much as 540 MW.

The reactors are cooled by the natural convection of water and can be shut down safely without pumps or other mechanical systems.  NuScale power plants are scalable – additional modules are added as customer demand for electricity increases. NuScale’s technology also is suited to supply energy for district heating, desalination and other applications.  

“Dresser-Rand’s experience in designing and manufacturing main propulsion drive turbines for the U.S. Navy’s nuclear aircraft carriers makes it an ideal partner for this assignment,” said Scott Bailey, vice president of Supply Chain at NuScale Power.

 NuScale Power’s standard design for a nuclear power plant includes 12 individual reactor modules, each with its own turbine generator. The combined output for the 12 units will total 540 MWe, which is enough power to meet the needs of more than one-half million homes.

“The agreement puts Dresser-Rand in a favorable position to supply turbine generators for NuScale power plants built in the U.S. and internationally, because our turbine generator will be one of the main pieces of equipment for their SMR plant design,” said Marco Rossi, vice president of new equipment for Environmental Solutions at Dresser-Rand.

“NuScale’s modular design will allow for the entire turbine generator to be manufactured in the U.S. in a facility like those operated by Dresser-Rand,” said Bailey. “The turbine generator can then be transported from the facility to the power plant in modular form. The combination of factory manufacturing and transportability will lower costs and shorten construction times,” Bailey added.