Public Preferences for the Safety Characteristics of Small Modular Reactor

Small Modular Reactors (SMR), especially integrated PWRs (iPWR) which have being designed in U.S., Russia, South Korea, Argentina, etc., are generally known as safer than large reactors due to their unique safety characteristics. However, will public think SMR is safer than existing reactors? What does public really want for nearby nuclear power plant? Can passive safety design, autonomous operation, and underground siting convince local residents? Are SMRs really different in terms of spent fuel management? Based on the factors influencing risk perception of nuclear technology in South Korea and conducting a survey, This paper analyzes the priority of safety characteristics of SMRs in terms of public acceptance.