According to AFP, on July 22 (local time), the US announced that it has built a clear framework to prepare for the deployment of offshore nuclear reactors in the future.
This is part of President Donald Trump's administration's strategy to sharply increase nuclear power production in the near future.
Currently, no commercial offshore nuclear reactor projects have been approved or put into operation in the US.
However, the floating nuclear power plant model is attracting the attention of many countries. Currently, Russia is the only country operating this model with the Akademik Lomonosov plant project.
The Marine Minerals Administration (MMA) of the US Department of Homeland Security said it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to promote the deployment of reactors in the offshore continental shelf area.
MMA Acting Director Matt Giacona said that underground reactor systems have been safely used in the navy for decades, showing the potential to become a stable source of energy in harsh marine environments. This technology could contribute to strengthening US energy security in the future.
Jeremy Bowen, Director of the NRC's Advanced Reactor Office, said that the new agreement has established a clear framework for all parties to coordinate, creating transparency and confidence for units that need to develop projects. At the same time, ensuring the deployment of new nuclear technologies takes place safely, securely and effectively.
Nuclear energy has long been used on warships, submarines and icebreakers.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), this technology is also expected to contribute to reducing carbon emissions in the global energy system.
The IAEA informed that Canada, China, Denmark, South Korea, Russia and the United States are all developing small-module reactor (SMR) designs for the marine environment. To date, Russia is still the only country to put this model into commercial operation.
