Abstract

Small modular reactors (SMRs) are currently framed as a clean energy innovation with a vital role to play in decarbonizing power production. We review two popular sustainability transitions frameworks—strategic niche management and technological innovation systems— for case studies of analogous clean technology innovations. We focus on those that include policy-relevant recommendations that could be applied to the challenges posed by successfully scaling up SMRs from prototypes to commercial production. Particular attention is paid to how each approach understands the linkages between technology and the broader social and economic context. Innovative features of this paper include a systematic review of the lessons from renewable energy case studies for engagement with policy practitioners; reflections on the challenges of applying Euro-centric approaches in the sustainability transitions literature to non-European environments, including remote, northern, and indigenous communities; and some preliminary lessons for policy development that reflect the current situation with SMRs and support evidence-informed decision making in communities currently considering SMRs as part of a future clean energy mix.

摘要

小型模块化反应堆 (SMR) 目前被认为是一种清洁能源创新，在电力生产脱碳方面发挥着至关重要的作用。我们回顾了两个流行的可持续发展转型框架——战略利基管理和技术创新系统——用于类似清洁技术创新的案例研究。我们专注于那些包含政策相关建议的建议，这些建议可以应用于成功将 SMR 从原型扩展到商业生产所带来的挑战。特别关注每种方法如何理解技术与更广泛的社会和经济背景之间的联系。本文的创新特点包括系统回顾可再生能源案例研究的经验教训，以便与政策从业者接触；反思将以欧洲为中心的方法应用于非欧洲环境的可持续性转型文献中的挑战，包括偏远、北方和土著社区；政策制定的一些初步经验教训，反映了 SMR 的当前情况，并支持当前考虑将 SMR 作为未来清洁能源组合的一部分的社区的循证决策。