Description
I argue that addressing the vulnerabilities of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) and their value chains benefits from a comprehensive understanding of resilience. In this paper I explore the threat landscape and resilience practices linked to SMRs from a geopolitical perspective in the context of green electrification. I utilise the concept of ‘risk’ to capture the change in our understanding of ‘threat’ as something calculable with a means-end rationality to something less concrete and unforeseen, demanding preparedness and planning. This also broadens the scope of threat types considered, including physical, informational, cognitive, and social. For resilience, I incorporate a comprehensive understanding to capture the implications of disruptions in SMR operations on society, economy, and nature. This turns attention to the means and practices required to maintain resilience at a social - rather than mere plant or grid - level. I utilize these concepts to guide the qualitative content analysis of 45 scientific articles and expert documents focusing on SMR vulnerabilities. The analysis provides a broader understanding of the threat landscape of SMRs compared to existing literature, sheds light on required resilience practices, and existing knowledge gaps. It also provides a comprehensive approach to the analysis of risk and resilience, looking at these from an inherently social perspective.
Key words: geopolitics, threat, risk, vulnerability, resilience, small modular reactors, green electrification
