Recent Advancements in Control System Design and Implementation of MHTGR and IPWR Small Modular Reactors: A Survey

The future of nuclear power is expected to strongly dependent on the success of generation IV nuclear reactors, such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), as nations aim to decarbonize their electrical grids. The SMR concepts that have gained much interest over the past decades are the integral pressurized water reactor and the modular high temperature gas cooled reactor. These technologies show promise due to economies of scale, load following capabilities and modularity. They are also potentially capable of supplementing grids which are predominantly based on intermittent sources of energy. However, significant challenges arise when planning for the deployment of these technologies, due to dynamics unique to SMR concepts. In this paper, the focus is to look at challenges arising from the aspect of control system design and control strategy development for SMRs. Emphasis is given to two emerging areas that simultaneously create opportunities and put extra demands on control engineers: multi-unit control and load following control. a literature survey on recent advances in controller design for both modular high temperature gas cooled reactor and the integral pressurized water reactor is provided. Future research directions are identified.