Good article, and having been involved in the industry for 40-plus years, the concept is sound. Westinghouse and Newport News Shipyard had a joint venture called Offshore Power Systems in 1970 and were going to build plants in Jacksonville, Fla., floating reactors in the US to be regulated by the NRC. Many of the current advanced designs are years away from regulatory approval in the US. The participants canceled the overall project due to opposition, cost, no approved design, TMI accident fallout, and thus no firm contracts. Once the designs in the US are approved, and the designs take into account flooding, capsizing, large waves, and servers weather impacts near a coast, the concepts can move forward. Also, not every shipyard can support nuclear-grade quality assurance and construction of the nuclear side of the plant.
It occurs to us that marine nuclear is an important future part of conserving fossil fuels. The world burns around 85 billion gallons of marine fuel annually, mostly bunker fuel. Nuclear powered military vessels are proven technology for decades at this point.
As of Oct. 2020, U.S. DOT Maritime Trade expected a doubling of demand for marine fuels by 2030 due to increased trade. 80% of world's good by volume move by water so displacing much of that oil consumption would go a long way. (Remember, electricity generation is only around 20-25% of global primary energy use).
Interesting concept. In your discussion, you forgot one important non-military nuclear vessel. The NS Savannah. A beautiful commercial nuclear powered ship that was proposed by President Eisenhower. My father-in-law was one of the nuclear engineers that worked on this project. The reactor has been removed but hopefully the ship will find a new permanent berth so that others can see it. It is now at Baltimore...looking for a new home.
There are good photos and info online. I tried to link but guess it's not allowed 🤔
Looks Shit Ugly. All these human projects... backed by Fossil Fuels by all means.
Good information. What about using the SMR (Small Modular Reactor) on a ship? Is this a benefit for cost, flexibility?
I just learned of Mr. Robert Bryce from Financial Sense podcast. Thank you for the input.
Good article, and having been involved in the industry for 40-plus years, the concept is sound. Westinghouse and Newport News Shipyard had a joint venture called Offshore Power Systems in 1970 and were going to build plants in Jacksonville, Fla., floating reactors in the US to be regulated by the NRC. Many of the current advanced designs are years away from regulatory approval in the US. The participants canceled the overall project due to opposition, cost, no approved design, TMI accident fallout, and thus no firm contracts. Once the designs in the US are approved, and the designs take into account flooding, capsizing, large waves, and servers weather impacts near a coast, the concepts can move forward. Also, not every shipyard can support nuclear-grade quality assurance and construction of the nuclear side of the plant.
It certainly also simplifies cooling as well!
Don’t forget the Great Lakes and other large inland bodies of water as well.
It occurs to us that marine nuclear is an important future part of conserving fossil fuels. The world burns around 85 billion gallons of marine fuel annually, mostly bunker fuel. Nuclear powered military vessels are proven technology for decades at this point.
As of Oct. 2020, U.S. DOT Maritime Trade expected a doubling of demand for marine fuels by 2030 due to increased trade. 80% of world's good by volume move by water so displacing much of that oil consumption would go a long way. (Remember, electricity generation is only around 20-25% of global primary energy use).
Love the broad thinking, Robert.
Interesting concept. In your discussion, you forgot one important non-military nuclear vessel. The NS Savannah. A beautiful commercial nuclear powered ship that was proposed by President Eisenhower. My father-in-law was one of the nuclear engineers that worked on this project. The reactor has been removed but hopefully the ship will find a new permanent berth so that others can see it. It is now at Baltimore...looking for a new home.
There are good photos and info online. I tried to link but guess it's not allowed 🤔