NPP operation in a co-generation mode (for example, with co-production of heat or desalinated water) is not a prerogative of SMRs. On a technical level it could be realised in NPPs with large reactors as well. It has not been done so far for NPPs with large reactors because their primary designation was to produce electricity.

Examples exist when NPPs with SMRs have been used or are being used for co-production of the non-electrical energy products. The main reasons why non-electrical applications are more often considered for SMRs are as follows:

• Some small reactors target the niche markets in “off-grid” remote or isolated areas where non-electrical energy products are as much a value as the electricity is.

• Many SMRs are considered as possible replacement for the currently operated combined heat and power plants (CHPs). In many countries the distribution networks serviced by CHPs are tailored to the equivalent plant capacity of 250-700 MWe. Therefore, the use of a NPP with SMRs as a replacement would allow making full use of these networks (that cannot accommodate a large plant).

In regards to hydrogen or other advanced energy carriers requiring high temperature heat to be produced, HTGRs are being considered for this purpose. They all fit into the SMR category.

A somewhat cautious attitude of SMR designers to the inclusion of non-electrical applications in the designs of their FOAK plants is noted, which reflects the fact that some recent market surveys have shown the electricity applications to be of prime demand worldwide for the nearest decade. With this in mind, some of the designers intend to carry on with fastest deployment of the ‘electricity-only’ versions of their SMRs, reserving the non-electrical applications for a more distant future.

Notwithstanding what is said above, district heating is included as a FOAK design feature in all of the Russian PWR SMR designs, with the production of desalinated water specified as an option. Water desalination is included as a FOAK design feature in the Indian AHWR and the Korean SMART concepts.