Analysis of design features of promising small power reactors

Abstract

In Bolivia, nearly 70 % of electricity generation is based on fossil fuels, and the main source is gas, the production of which is decreasing considerably in the country. The need to diversify Bolivia's energy sources is stressed to secure a stable supply and lower carbon emissions. With significant advancements in nuclear technology, facilitated mainly by Rosatom Corporation over the past nine years, this country has established a foundation for nuclear energy development by installing three critical nuclear components: a multipurpose irradiation plant, a research reactor, and a cyclotron. As these facilities near completion, it should now transition to the next phase: integrating nuclear power into its energy portfolio, considering that the implementation of nuclear power is long term and requires the prior development of its infrastructure. Under these conditions, this research work evaluates various sources of energy based on traditional feasibility metrics, addressing key concerns such as safety and public acceptance, energy demand, infrastructure, economic viability, environmental impact, most of them oriented by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in order to generate parameters for analyzing and then identifying a proper source that aligns with Bolivia's energy needs and development objectives. Finally, this study aims to provide recommendations for selecting a suitable nuclear power reactor that would be used by other developing countries as a starting point when evaluating the incorporation of nuclear power