A Smaller Nuke Plant

Any nuke that has completed a sea tour will be able to tell you a smaller sized nuclear power plant can supply more than enough power in a method which is clean in comparison to fossil fuel.
It seems the civilian community seems to be beginning to figure this out. The debate on whether increasing the 20% of our nation power needs nuclear power have been argued as an alternative from conventional source of power generation. To cause a significant impact this option would be MW sized power plant used to supply to regional power requirements. A typical reactor used in a commercial plant is typically rated for 1700 MW.

What is not as well known is the effect smaller size nuclear plants, like the one we operated, might provide. These smaller reactors range in between 30 to 300 Megawatts of output.
The main attraction for both electrical utilities and reactor builders is the potential cost savings: Producing electricity may possibly be 10–20% cheaper per kilowatt-hour than with a standard reactor.

In spite of this all is not clear to see a growth of small scale nukes. Unlike the navy in the civilian world there will still be regulatory, technical, and licensing hurdles. So to those of you who are thinking of dumping all of the knowledge assembled in two years of nuclear training and four years of standing watch in your boat.

Keep your eyes out for these three companies which manufacture and market modular nuclear reactors namely Westinghouse, NuScale Power, and Babcock and Wilcox Co. If you are getting ready to get out and are spooked at about continuing your nuclear career and hit these companies up for jobs. With your training and ability they would love to hear from you.

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