Nuovo nucleare: Small Modular Reactors e sistemi energetici ibridi

The European Union's ambitious targets for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 require a radical transformation in the energy production paradigm. The gradual phase-out of fossil-fueled generators is fostering the electrification of the energy system, driven mainly by the deployment of renewable energy sources. However, this strategy alone can hardly support the decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors, which account for a significant share of C02 emissions. Moreover, relying solely on these sources exposes the power grid to stability and dispatchability issues, as well as increasing the strategic dependence on a handful of countries exporting the required critical materials. A promising solution to address these issues leverages the synergy between these sources and nuclear technologies, capable of producing not just electricity but also thermal power and contributing to the stabilization of the power grid. In Europe, among the nuclear technologies that are receiving the most interest from industry and policymakers stand out the so-called Small Modular Reactors (SMR), which aim to cut construction time and costs. Noteworthy among their benefits is the potential integration into hybrid energy systems, where they can be operated in cogeneration mode and produce different commodities to adapt to the market's conditions, thereby offering high flexibility and increasing revenue streams. The growing interest in these technologies, supported by the wide range of potential applications, led to several policies supporting their development and recognizing their fundamental role in Europe's energy transition. Also Italy is paying attention to that option.