2023-09-18 14:37:53
It’s a project that may seem quite crazy for a completely serious company. The Gorgé family group, specialized in robotics, drones and even 3D printing, has decided to launch into nuclear power.
The industrialist knows the sector well, since he already manufactures doors for EDF power plants. But this time the adventure could take on another dimension with the creation of a new company, Calogena, which aims to build small 30 MW thermal reactors. They would be installed on the outskirts of cities, between 20 and 30 kilometers from the center, to supply urban heating networks. One reactor could cover the needs of 12,000 households, on average.
Dare. «But why not us?retorts Raphaël Gorgé, the group’s CEO and son of the founder. We are used to investing in the long term, we are able to finance the first phases of the project, we have 200 engineers working in nuclear power and innovation has always been in the group’s DNA.. » He assures that he also wants to make his contribution to the decarbonization of the world to fight against global warming.
A call for projects launched by the government
Today, 60% of heating networks in Europe run on fossil fuels. Only a limited number of them will switch to biomass, due to lack of sufficient resources. And only a few could be powered by geothermal energy, because this is not possible everywhere. Calogena is targeting the European market, with an average cost of around a hundred million euros each for the first reactors and a price per thermal megawatt hour of around €60.
To carry out this project, on which he has been working for two years, Raphaël Gorgé surrounded himself with around ten recognized figures in the sector, such as Alain Vallée, the former scientific director of Framatome, who participated in the design of the latest French reactors, Hervé Bernard, former deputy general administrator of the CEA, or even Giovanni Bruna, who was the scientific director of the IRSN.
Calogena responded to the call for projects launched by the government to develop small innovative nuclear reactors (also called SMR, according to the English acronym « small modular reactor »), which was allocated a budget of 500 million euros. In June, two start-ups, Naarea and Newcleo, also obtained subsidies worth 25 million euros.
For its part, Calogena has requested aid of 5 million and expects a response in the coming weeks. The project has already been examined by around fifteen experts and Raphaël Gorgé says he is very confident, highlighting its technical solidity.
Produce only heat
According to him, the main advantage of the Calogena reactor lies in its simplicity and the use of proven technology. Unlike most other SMR projects which are flourishing in France (as well as in the United States), it will not produce electricity but only heat. This significantly improves yields, since 60% of the heat released during nuclear fission is lost when it is transformed into electricity. This also avoids having to install very heavy auxiliary systems, with a turbine and steam generators. «As soon as we add complexity, we add construction delays and risks of additional costs,” note with the CEO.
A thermal power of 30 MW is therefore equivalent to an installed power of 10 MW in electricity. In total, the whole will require a total footprint of 3,000 m2 for a building of 1,000 m2, with a core measuring less than one cubic meter. “In order to limit risks, the reactor will operate at low pressure and low temperature, with a passive safety system, which means that in the event of a problem everything stops,” underlines Raphaël Gorgé, explaining that research reactors of this type operate in American universities, even if they are smaller. The company also plans to file patents for its safety procedures.
Sense of urgency
But Raphaël Gorgé recognizes that the main obstacles on his path are primarily questions of social acceptability, more than technical and financial issues. There are also certification procedures with the Nuclear Safety Authority which should last at least two years. We also have to find the sites, convince local residents, manage the waste issue, etc.
Faced with all these difficulties, the boss of Calogena does not try to hide behind his little finger. “Mentalities are changing, and people have become aware of a sense of urgency,” says Raphaël Gorgé. This is the reason why Calogena chose to develop a basic reactor rather than working on a so-called 4th generation model, like that of Naarea and Newcleo. The stated ambition is to have a first example put into service in 2030.
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