The Busan Metropolitan Government is launching support for local companies to gain a foothold in the small modular reactor (SMR) sector, which has rapidly emerged as a next-generation energy market.
The city announced it will hold an "SMR Technology Seminar" at the Busan City Hotel on January 9. The event is part of the city's ongoing project to establish an SMR auxiliary equipment manufacturing support center, focusing on technology sharing and network building to strengthen the competitiveness of regional nuclear equipment companies.
The seminar will feature expert lectures covering the entire SMR industry, from government policy to manufacturing technology. Yoo Sang-wook, team leader at the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning, will present policy directions through an energy technology development roadmap. Seo Jeong, a researcher at Korea Maritime and Ocean University, will introduce foundry establishment strategies for materials, parts, and equipment companies.
Yang Jun-seok, a researcher at the Global Nuclear Strategy Research Institute, will discuss digital twin-based virtual reactor technology. Kim Si-hong, a manager at Doosan Enerbility, will share insights on field-oriented manufacturing technology changes and response strategies.
Through this seminar, the city plans to help small and medium-sized nuclear equipment companies develop concrete SMR commercialization strategies and secure the technological foundation to respond to changes in global supply chains.
SMR is a next-generation reactor with enhanced safety and economic efficiency compared to conventional large-scale nuclear plants, and is regarded as a "game changer" in the global energy market. Competition among countries to secure a leading position in the related industrial ecosystem is intensifying.
The city will lower barriers to participation by offering on-site registration with no participation fee. It also plans to provide practical cooperation opportunities through Q&A and networking programs.
Busan Mayor Park Heong-jun said, "We will actively support technology acquisition and industrial infrastructure development so that local companies can secure leadership in the global market."