In 2025–2026, LUT will build two new test facilities in its nuclear engineering laboratory for research on the safety of small modular reactors. One of the test facilities is based on Finnish and the other one on French technology.
One of the facilities will model passive decay heat removal of the LDR-50 district heating reactor developed by the Finnish company Steady Energy. The solution is based on VTT’s research project.
Small modular reactors could be used for district heating in the future, reducing carbon dioxide emissions and the need for fossil and wood fuels. In addition, SMRs would improve the supply security of electricity and heating. Nuclear power can ensure the availability of electricity independent of weather conditions, unlike wind or solar power. The less electricity is used for heating, the more electricity is available for other functions, such as transportation and industry.
Nuclear heating projects pending across Finland
Steady Energy has a letter of intent on small district heating reactors with the energy companies Helen, Kuopion Energia, and Keravan Energia. Steady Energy is also marketing its solution to other European countries, such as Poland. In Central Europe, district heating is still largely based on fossil fuels, which means nuclear heat would reduce emissions considerably.
“The research kicking off at LUT University will significantly advance the development of nuclear technology and our ongoing district heating projects. The commercial breakthrough of small modular reactors is closer in heating than in electricity production, because small nuclear power plants producing district heating do not need public financing,” states Lauri Muranen, head of public affairs at Steady Energy.
Tests ensure safety of new technology
The tests will take place from 2026 to 2027. The tests concerning Steady Energy’s technology will examine the reactor’s passive decay heat removal. The tests based the French technology will focus on the functionality of the SMR’s emergency core cooling tank. Passive safety systems that don’t require operator actions form an important part of the safety of new reactor types.
“The research project advances Finnish technology and shows that our European partners value our expertise. The project is significant for LUT because it represents the largest EU funding ever awarded to a single project at the university,” says Joonas Telkkä, project researcher at LUT.
“Experimental research plays an important role whenever the functionality of a new type of nuclear power plant safety system is verified. Our partners develop and validate their calculation models based on test results. There are hardly any other similar testing capabilities in Europe.”
The results of the study will be reported in 2027–2028. The breakthrough of small modular reactors in Finland also requires amendments to legislation and collaboration between authorities. The first small modular reactors are estimated to be operational in the early 2030s.
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