30 MW water-cooled small modular reactor could be deployed in France

Calogena, a French company, plans to explore deploying its 30 MW water-cooled small modular reactor (SMR), called CAL30, at the Cadarache research and development site. The CAL30 SMR is designed to supply carbon-free heat to urban heating networks, operating at low pressure (6 bars) and low temperature (100 °C), which makes it simpler and safer than conventional reactors. The design is based on decades-old pool-type research reactors and uses the same fuel as traditional reactors but in a shortened form. Calogena aims for deployment as early as 2030, highlighting the reactor’s compact footprint (3,000 m² land, under 1,000 m² buildings) and minimal refueling needs (one lorry every two years), which contrasts with the frequent fuel deliveries required by wood-fired heating. CAL30 is one of four SMR designs currently under evaluation by the French Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority (ASN). Calogena’s design is