EcoSMR, a Network to Strenghten Finnish Expertise on Small Modular Reactors

EcoSMR, a Network to Strenght Finnish Expertise on Small Modular Reactors

The EcoSMR (Finnish Ecosystem for Small Modular Reactors) project, funded by Business Finland, brings together Finnish actors to develop business around the possibilities of small modular reactors.

The project analyzes the requirements, licensing and business opportunities of nuclear technology and supports their development to meet market needs.

“The project supports Finnish industry to create an international innovation and business ecosystem that understands customer needs and the potential of Finnish technological expertise in the global energy market,” says Ville Tulkki, VTT’s responsible director for the project.

VTT Technical Research Center and LUT University are responsible for the public research in the EcoSMR project.

There are currently nine business partners in the project.

Fortum, Teollisuuden Voima Oyj and Refinec have launched their own research and development projects, which package expertise into products and services for sale.

In recent years, there has been active discussion in Finland on the transition to low-carbon alternatives in district heating. One of the options is nuclear energy.

VTT has already begun the first phase of a project to develop a small modular reactor (SMR) for district heat production.

This project also creates the opportunity to develop a new Finnish industrial sector around the SMR technology and the production of needed components for the plant.