POWER October 2013 - 15

natural gas storage reservoir equivalent to more than 200 TWh.
The fledgling P2G energy storage technology, which is still
relatively expensive, is strongly being promoted by Germany's
federal power and gas agency, the Bundesnetzagentur. " One of
the biggest challenges of transforming Germany's energy system
is finding ways to integrate the increasing share of intermittent,
renewable-source energy, " said Germany's Economics Minister Dr.
Philipp Rösler at the inauguration ceremony. " To ensure that Germany's
power system remains stable and that our economy continues
to have the energy it needs, we not only have to rapidly
expand energy networks but also require innovative solutions like
the P2G unit here in Falkenhagen. "
The project is also supported by Swissgas, which represents
more than 100 local natural gas utilities. The organization holds
a 20% capital stake in the facility and an agreement to purchase
a portion of the gas produced.
For more on P2G technology, see " Progress for Germany's Power-to-Gas
Drive " in POWER's November 2012 issue.
SMR Technology Contest Gets New
Player
Joining the growing list of major small modular reactor (SMR)
technology developers is California-based General Atomics, which
says its patented Energy Multiplier Module, EM2, is one of the
" most advanced high-performance reactors in the world. "
The company has partnered with CB&I and Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries to design and develop the school bus-sized reactor
that it says produces 500 MWt and is 53% efficient. The heliumcooled
fast-neutron high-temperature reactor operates at 850C
and would be fueled with 20 metric tons of used pressurized
water reactor fuel or depleted uranium in addition to 22 metric
tons of enriched uranium (Figure 5).
The EM2
's features include running 30 years without refueling
(compared to 18 months for current light water reactors), requiring
no cooling water, and siting flexibility. It also incorporates
a truck-transportable high-speed gas turbine generator, which
means " lower up front capital costs for utilities, as well as lower
electricity costs for consumers, " the company says. EM2
is also
designed to provide three times the energy per pound of fuel
compared to current technology and reduce waste by 80% utilizing
just a single pass through the fuel cycle.
5. New kid on the block. The Energy Multiplier Module being
developed by San Diego-based General Atomics is a small modular
reactor that is helium cooled and operates at temperatures of 850C.
It incorporates a truck-transportable high-speed gas turbine generator.
Courtesy: General Atomics
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POWER October 2013

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