Modular circular economy in energy infrastructures: The case of Small Modular Reactors

Policymakers, practitioners, and academics increasingly discuss modularisation
and Circular Economy (CE) in the energy sector. However, these topics are
usually discussed individually, failing to recognise their interdependency.
Recognising interdependency is crucial because modularisation can become a
key enabler of CE. This PhD research addresses this gap in knowledge.
Traditional stick-built infrastructures have a lifecycle often predetermined by
components very difficult or expensive to replace. Modular energy
infrastructures could be made reconfigurable and extend their lifecycle by
decoupling the life of the infrastructures from their modules. Modules can be
designed in a way that, when a module reaches its end of life, it could be
exchanged, extending the life of the infrastructure. Moreover, when the
infrastructure needs to be retired, modules still functioning could be used in
another infrastructure. Shifting the attention from component to module level
can facilitate CE initiatives. Leveraging this intuition, this research investigated
the link between modularisation and CE, focusing on the case of Small Modular
Reactors (SMRs), which the literature considers a key modular technology in the
next 10-20 years. This research contributes to both theory and practice.
Regarding the contribution to theory, the link between modularisation and CE
has been theoretically conceptualised by introducing the Modular CE, which is
the key novelty of this PhD research. The Modular CE has been compared to
traditional modularisation by leveraging a systematic review and a case study.
Regarding the contribution to practice, this research focused on the reuse
initiative, identifying and examining enabling factors and barriers for the
Modular CE by interviewing 24 experts in the nuclear and oil and gas sector.
Furthermore, this research identified and ranked the most relevant elements
hindering and favouring Modular CE in the case of SMRs by conducting a
questionnaire survey involving 97 SMR experts. Finally, this research paves the
way to future research opportunities, such as investigating the Modular CE in
other infrastructures (e.g. wind farm) and the quantitative evaluation of the
economic and environmental implications of Modular CE initiatives.