Development of Innovative Small Modular Reactors (i-SMR) and Challenges

혁신형 소형모듈원자로(i-SMR) 개발과 도전 과제

Volume 3, Number 1 · pp. 37-52 · Published 30 June 2025

Authors

First Author
Ukjin Yeo
여욱진
Seoul National University · Republic of Korea
Co-author
Min Baek
백민
Pohang University of Science and Technology · Republic of Korea
Co-author
Sungyeol Choi
최성열
Seoul National University · Republic of Korea

Affiliations are given exactly as the author stated them on submission, and the English form is the one printed in the published issue. Where the published issue carries no mark of a corresponding author, the first author listed is recorded as the first author and the others as co-authors.

Bibliographic record

Issue

Volume 3, Number 1 · pp. 37-52 · 16 pages

Publication date

30 June 2025

ISSN

2983-1547

DOI

To be assigned

Licence

CC BY-NC 4.0 · Anyone may copy, distribute, transmit, translate and adapt this article for non-commercial purposes provided the authors and the source are credited. Commercial use is settled with the publisher. Publication and Submission Regulations, Art. 13(7) — proposed amendment of 7 Sept 2026

Subject area

To be confirmed

Submission, review and acceptance

Date of submission

11 April 2025

Date of review

To be confirmed

Date of acceptance

5 June 2025

The date of review is not printed in the published issue and is therefore left empty here. It will be filled in once the published issue has been checked against the review records, and all three dates are then registered with the Korea Citation Index.

Abstract and keywords

AbstractEnglish

The innovative Small Modular Reactor (i-SMR) is gaining attention as a next-generation nuclear technology that offers enhanced safety, economic efficiency, and flexibility in response to the era of carbon neutrality targeted for 2050. Designed to overcome the structural limitations of conventional large-scale nuclear power plants, the i-SMR is being developed to meet diverse industrial demands in a more adaptive manner. This study examines the technological characteristics and differentiating features of i-SMRs, and analyzes the key technical, economic, and regulatory challenges to their commercialization— including standard design certification, technology validation, economic viability, and regulatory harmonization. The results of this study provide a comprehensive assessment of the commercial potential of i-SMRs and are expected to inform future technological development and policy directions.

KeywordsEnglish

i-SMRStandard Design CertificationTechnical FeasibilityEconomic FeasibilityRegulatory Compliance

Show the Korean abstract and keywords

AbstractKorean

혁신형 소형모듈원자로(innovative-Small Modular Reactor, i-SMR)는 2050년 탄소중립 시대에 부응하는 안정성, 경제성, 유연성 높은 차세대 원자력 기술로 주목받고 있으며, 기존 대형 원전이 가진 구조적 한계를 보완하고, 다양한 산업 분야의 수요에 유연하게 대응할 수 있는 차세대 원자력 기술로 개발되고 있다. 본 연구는 i-SMR의 기술적 특성과 차별성을 고찰하고, 표준설계인가를 포함한 기술 검증, 경제성 확보, 국제 규제 정합성 확보 등 i-SMR의 실질적 상용화를 위한 기술적·경제적·제도적 측면에서의 주요 도전과제를 분석하였다. 이러한 연구 결과는 i-SMR의 상용화 가능성을 종합적으로 검토하고, 향후 기술 개발 및 주요 정책 추진에 방향성을 제시할 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

KeywordsKorean

i-SMR표준설계인가기술성경제성규제 정합성

How to cite

APAEnglish

Ukjin Yeo, Min Baek, Sungyeol Choi. (2025). Development of Innovative Small Modular Reactors (i-SMR) and Challenges. Review on Nuclear Energy Strategy and Policy, 3(1), 37-52.

Korean bibliographic styleKorean

여욱진 · 백민 · 최성열, 「혁신형 소형모듈원자로(i-SMR) 개발과 도전 과제」, 『원자력전략·정책연구』 제3권 제1호 (2025), 37-52쪽.

Once a DOI has been assigned it will be added to the end of both forms. Until then this page can be cited by its address, https://nespr.wokz.kr/en/articles/1503.

Full text

Cover of Review on Nuclear Energy Strategy and Policy, Volume 3, Number 1

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Volume 3, Number 1 · pp. 37-52 · Published by Nuclear Future Technology Policy Research Institute, Seoul National University

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