A novel design for a floating offshore nuclear power barge from HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE) and KEPCO Engineering and Construction Company, Inc. (KEPCO E&C) has received approval in principle (AiP) from ABS.
Project collaborators include ABS, HD KSOE, KEPCO E&C and the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR). Representatives from each company met in Washington for the AiP presentation.
The floating small modular reactor (SMR) barge is intended to serve as offshore power generation for remote communities and island electrification. HD KSOE provided basic designs for the marine systems; then ABS and LISCR completed design reviews based on class and statutory requirements. KEPCO E&C will continue to work on risk assessments for future applications.
Also read: Newcleo, Fincantieri and RINA look into feasibility of nuclear marine propulsion
Benefits over land-based sites
‘Modern nuclear technologies are increasingly suggested as a potential solution to lower carbon emissions,’ says Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior vice president and chief technology officer. ‘Floating production platforms like this barge from HD KSOE have the possibility to scale more easily than what can be done on land.’
Dr. Kim Sung-Jun, director of Future Technology at HD KSOE, adds: ‘This barge design not only eliminates the inconvenience of selecting onshore sites by being installed at sea, but also offers the advantage of an integrated design for thermal energy production. This increases the potential to support the production of eco-friendly ship fuels like ammonia or methanol. Furthermore, HD KSOE has invested USD 30 million in the fourth-generation SMR company, TerraPower, and we have plans to accelerate the development of future nuclear-powered ships by establishing an SMR research team.’
Also read: ABS: Potential of marine nuclear propulsion should not be ignored
Picture (left to right): Dr. Young Tae Moon, Senior Director of Sustainable Growth Department, Nuclear PE, KEPCO E&C; Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer; and Dr. Sang Min Park, Research Director of Marine Energy Technology Lab, HD KSOE.
Also read: Samsung Heavy moves ahead with floating nuclear power barge
