KEPCO E&C has teamed up with MPR of the United States to collaborate in the development of a new pressurized light water reactor model and small modularized reactor (SMR) technology.

Willem Kriel, Korea Business Manager of MPR, and Yang Jun-seok, director of the NSSS Division at KEPCO E&C, signed an MOU on development cooperation for a new pressurized light water reactor model and SMR technology with MPR at the NSSS Division meeting room on Feb. 1.

MPR was founded in 1964 as a professional consulting company for technology review and business management services in the energy, defense, security, environment, and bioengineering fields. The company provides the specialized services of reviewing technologies and presenting resolution to issues independent of the government, nuclear reactor operator, nuclear reactor system designer, and equipment supplier in new nuclear power plant development and construction projects in the United States. It participated as a key team member in the NuScale development program, which was one of key SMR projects in the United States, and is participating in the development of SMR utility requirements documents (URD) for the U.S. Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).

The NSSS Division signed the MOU to cooperate with MPR in a strategic analysis and feasibility study for development of key element technologies of a new pressurized light water reactor model and SMR and the establishment of target markets in order to set the ground for more active and efficient technology development and business development.

With the signing of this MOU, both parties plan to carry out the following technical cooperation:

- Technical cooperation in nuclear reactor system and equipment design and certification of a new pressurized light-water reactor and the operation of a nuclear power plant

- Commercial feasibility study of potential markets for SMR applications such as the marine nuclear power plant, desalination co-generation, district heating co-generation, and small scale grid power supply

- Development of key technologies such as the top mounted furnace internal instrument needed for SMR furnace model development, embedded control rod operation system, high performance evaporator, zero boracic acid operating core design, and digital safety system.

KEPCO E&C ranked first in global nuclear power plant design sales for 2012 according to the 2012 Global Sourcebook published by ENR (Engineering News-Record), a U.S.-based magazine specializing in construction and engineering. 

Following KEPCO E&C, were AMEC and the Shaw Group which ranked second and third, respectively, followed by Jacobs and CH2M Hill.

KEPCO E&C ranked 11th in the global power plant design segment and 18th in the global thermal power plant design segment. 

ENR annually publishes industry rankings such as the Top 150 Global Design Firms based on sales in the previous year. At the end of each month, its Global Sourcebook summarizes and announces the rankings and construction trends published in its ENR magazine.

KEPCO E&C’ s competitiveness was confirmed when the company ranked 66th in overall design on the list of the Top 150 Global Design Firms published by ENR last July, and its capability as a global leader in key business areas was confirmed again in the design and construction ranking for 2012 by ENR. That is evidence that the relentless endeavor of all employees over the years has finally been recognized overseas.