The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute and Hyundai Engineering will design the largest research reactor at a university in the United States. Korean nuclear technology, which started with the receipt of a research reactor from the United States in 1959, is now exporting technology back to the United States, the home of nuclear power, after 66 years. The government plans to use this design contract as a stepping stone to actively enter the global research reactor market.
The consortium formed by Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Hyundai Engineering, and the U.S. engineering firm MPR announced on the 17th that it has secured the initial design contract for the NextGen MURR project at the University of Missouri.
The Korean consortium was selected as the final negotiation target in July last year and finalized the contract on this day after further discussions. Vice President Lim In-cheol noted, "The Korean consortium was selected after competing with seven companies, including those from the United States and Argentina, which recognized our unique technological capability and rich experience."
◇The cost of one research reactor is 800 billion won, with demand for over 50 units
A research reactor is a device that uses neutrons generated from the fission of uranium to produce medical isotopes, semiconductors, and new materials instead of electricity. In a nuclear power plant, neutrons trigger a chain reaction of uranium fission, generating energy that heats water to produce electricity by turning turbines.
The University of Missouri operates a 10 megawatt research reactor and is seeking to expand its capacity for producing medical isotopes through the construction of the next-generation reactor. The next-generation reactor will have a capacity of 20 megawatts, making it the largest among research reactors operated by U.S. universities. The project consists of three phases: initial design, conceptual and basic design, and construction.
The initial design contract won by the Korean consortium is valued at $10 million (about 14.2 billion won). Jeong Taek-ryeol, director of the Ministry of Science and Information Communication Technology's Public Fusion Research Policy Division, said, "The selection of the final negotiation target includes stages 1 and 2, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, we will also take on the stage 2 project." Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute President Joo Han-kyu stated, "Our independent design of the HANARO research reactor and experience in exporting reactors to Jordan has received positive evaluations."
The Korean nuclear industry began on July 14, 1959, with the introduction of the first research reactor (TRIGA Mark-II) from the United States. Utilizing the first research reactor allowed for the start of nuclear research and development (R&D) and workforce training, leading to the construction of commercial nuclear power plants beginning with the Gori-1 reactor in 1978.
Korea independently built the 30 megawatt research reactor HANARO in 1995. It is currently constructing a new research reactor in Gijang. Based on its experience in building research reactors, it has secured the design and construction project for the Jordan research reactor, and has successively won contracts related to research reactors in Bangladesh, Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, and small research reactors in Malaysia.
According to the Ministry of Science and Information Communication Technology, there are currently 227 research reactors operating in 54 countries. More than 70%, or 161 of these reactors, are aging reactors that have been in operation for more than 40 years. Additionally, the demand for isotopes essential for producing radioactive pharmaceuticals is increasing, leading to a growing need for new research reactors.
Vice Minister Lee Chang-yoon stated, "We anticipate the demand for the construction of around 50 research reactors over the next 20 years," and noted, "To accelerate research reactor exports, the government is establishing strategies to activate overseas expansion."
It costs about 700 billion to 800 billion won to build one research reactor. Even with the estimation of 50 reactors, a market worth 40 trillion won is opening up. There is also less competition compared to commercial nuclear power plants, which is an advantage for Korea. The commercial nuclear power market is fiercely competitive among the United States, France, China, Japan, and Korea. Since the scale of construction for research reactors is smaller, competition is less.
◇Argentina's INVAP and a record of 2 wins and 1 loss
Korea's biggest competitor in the research reactor market is Argentina. INVAP of Argentina and Korea's Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute are always competing in the global research reactor market. In the recent contract with the University of Missouri, both INVAP and Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute's consortium were in competition.
Vice President Lim In-cheol stated, "In Jordan, we won, but we lost in the Netherlands, and this time we won again," adding, "With a record of 2 wins and 1 loss against INVAP, we will strive to achieve good results going forward."
The Ministry of Science and Information Communication Technology plans to announce strategies to boost research reactor exports by the end of June. The aim is to devise tailored strategies for each country based on the maturity of their nuclear technology while also enhancing economic benefits by extending beyond simple designs and constructions to include nuclear fuel supply. Plans will be set to cultivate corporations related to research reactors, train personnel, and gather information related to research reactors worldwide.
In addition to Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Hyundai Engineering, which secured the contract this time, also plans to focus on developing its capabilities in the research reactor field. Seo Jung-won, executive director of Hyundai Engineering, said, "Based on 40 years of experience in reactor design, we have achieved results in research reactor design as well," and added, "We will strengthen our collaboration with Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute based on this project to expand our presence in the research reactor market."
◇“No impact from designation as a sensitive country”
Coincidentally, the good news of this research reactor contract came just a day after the U.S. Department of Energy listed Korea as a sensitive country. Concerns have been raised domestically that Korea's inclusion on the sensitive country list could limit scientific and technological cooperation with the United States. However, this contract has allayed such worries.
Joo Han-kyu, who has been in the U.S. since the 14th, stated, "The contract was finalized just a day after the designation as a sensitive country, but there is no concern in the United States regarding that designation," and explained, "Domestically, the reaction has been sensitive, but this shows that it is unnecessary."
Professor Jeong Beom-jin of Kyunghee University emphasized, "This export of the research reactor is a representative example demonstrating the capabilities of the Korean research community," and noted, "It shows that Korea and the United States will continue to cooperate, regardless of the designation as a sensitive country."
The Ministry of Science and Information Communication Technology stated that it will work to lift the designation as a sensitive country. Vice Minister Lee Chang-yoon mentioned, "The U.S. side has expressed that the designation as a sensitive country will not undermine the science and technology alliance between Korea and the United States, and this export contract has manifested that position as a concrete result," and added, "We will strive to lift the designation as a sensitive country."