한국 1호 SMR, AI 전력난 게임체인저 될까 [9시 뉴스] / KBS 2026.06.17.

What is drawing more attention this time is the small-scale mini nuclear power plant, or SMR. Reporter Kim Jun-beom reports on why these small reactors are important to us going forward. [Report] A massive concrete dome structure sits right against the seashore. This is the typical nuclear power plant we have known until now. The reactor is surrounded by containment walls over one meter thick, and seawater is drawn in to be used as a coolant. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are completely different. First of all, they are much smaller. Generally, they are only a fraction of the size of conventional nuclear power plants. This is because major equipment found in large nuclear power plants, such as the reactor, pressurizer, and cooling pumps, has been integrated into a single unit within a metal reactor vessel. Because of their small size, site selection becomes more flexible. There are estimates that the emergency evacuation zone, prepared for contingencies, can be reduced by up to 1/100. Construction time can also be shortened as the reactor is manufactured in a factory rather than on-site. These characteristics are fueling expectations that they will change the landscape of power supply in the age of artificial intelligence. Concepts are emerging to build AI data centers, which require massive amounts of power, by attaching SMRs to them. Major AI companies, such as Google and OpenAI, are scrambling to invest in or sign contracts with SMR companies. [Chris Leveque / CEO of SMR company TerraPower: "(SMRs) can be built more safely and much faster. We expect to be able to reduce construction costs per megawatt to half of current levels."] However, these advantages are still theoretical observations. Verification is needed to confirm actual safety and economic feasibility. A track record of domestic construction is also essential for exporting the Korean-type SMR, which is currently in the development stage. [Park Gun-chul / Professor Emeritus, Department of Nuclear Engineering, Seoul National University: "Since nuclear power inevitably requires certification, the priority would be for us to build one first, demonstrate its capabilities, and then tell others to purchase it."] To date, the only countries that have actually produced electricity using SMRs are China and Russia. This is Kim Jun-beom reporting for KBS News. Video Editing: Lee Hyun-mo / Graphics: Choi Chang-jun, Jo Jae-hyun ▣ View Original KBS Article: http://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?nc... ▣ Send a Tip ◇ KakaoTalk: Search 'KBS제보' ◇ Phone: 02-781-1234 ◇ Website: https://goo.gl/4bWbkG ◇ Email: [email protected] Copyright ⓒ KBS. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction, redistribution, and use (including AI learning) are prohibited. #NuclearPowerPlant #SMR #SmallReactor #NuclearPower