Siemens Energy Talks Modular Technologies, Nuclear Trends

Late last month, Rolls-Royce SMR announced signing a supply partnership agreement with Siemens Energy. Under the agreement, Siemens Energy will supply steam turbines, generators, and other auxiliary systems for Rolls-Royce SMR's planned Generation 3+ modular nuclear power plants.

Karim Amin, a Siemens Energy Executive Board member, said we are experiencing a global nuclear energy renaissance. “Numerous countries are turning to nuclear technology to produce low-emission electricity, and small modular reactors will play a key role in this. Siemens Energy brings decades of experience in conventional equipment, while Rolls-Royce has the necessary implementation expertise. This perfect symbiosis enables us to shape the future of energy supply jointly. We are pleased to work with Rolls-Royce SMR on this exciting project."

Turbomachinery International followed up with Felix Aschendorf, Sales Director Nuclear at Siemens Energy, to discuss its role as Rolls-Royce’s “global turbine systems partner” for conventional technology for small modular reactors (SMRs), technical challenges, and nuclear trends.

TURBO: What are the unique challenges and solutions involved in ensuring seamless compatibility and optimized performance within a standardized, modular framework compared to traditional large-scale nuclear plant integrations?

Aschendorf : Siemens Energy is focusing on built certainty and performance- and cost-optimization. As a result, we have also developed a module system for our combined-cycle power plant business. This modular approach has already been executed and operated onsite by our Gas Services team. We believe this approach will bring down construction times and costs. A challenge is to ensure a modularized approach where it provides a benefit on the one hand and a smooth operation and maintainability for the entire lifetime of the nuclear power station on the other hand.

TURBO: Are there technical challenges and/or advantages associated with designing and manufacturing standardized steam turbines and generators for a fleet of SMRs at a modular nuclear power plant?

Aschendorf: Siemens Energy's steam turbine and generator sets are based on a modular approach and can, therefore, easily be adapted to project-specific needs. Siemens Energy's key strategy is to develop Steam Turbine frame families to cover a broad range of power output, use cases, and variation of project-specific requirements while focusing on a maximum degree of standardization.

TURBO: What trends is Siemens Energy seeing in nuclear, SMRs, and modular power plant designs?

Aschendorf : There is one common top priority among all nuclear developers, whether micro-modular nuclear, SMR, or large-scale nuclear: bringing down construction time and costs. Standardization and modularization are key levers in the nuclear industry to support this goal. In addition, there are also various GEN IV SMR developments ongoing, focusing on different technologies, such as lead-cooled, molten-salt, or pebble-bed reactor types. Such future reactor technologies will enable the industry to reduce dependence on Uranium-235 and improve the situation regarding nuclear waste. GEN IV developments target new use cases by offering a small footprint and relatively small power output for floating applications or remote areas without a grid connection.