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Emergency preparedness for Small Modular Reactors (ESMOR) : project aims and preliminary results

Ek, Åsa LU orcid ; Eriksson Stenström, Kristina LU ; Rahm, Henrik ; Thelander, Åsa LU orcid and Rääf, Christopher LU orcid (2026) 34th Annual Conference of the Society for Risk Analysis
Abstract (Swedish)
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are rapidly emerging as a contributing solution for future fossil-free energy systems globally including Sweden. While SMRs are expected to offer greater flexibility, lower costs, and reduced risks compared to traditional large-scale nuclear reactors, they still present radiological risks. The introduction of SMRs may require new approaches to emergency preparedness (EMP), involving a broader range of stakeholders—many of whom without prior
experience in nuclear safety and radiological emergency preparedness. The potential deployment of SMRs in Swedish regions that currently have no nuclear power production, will necessitate the involvement of municipalities and organizations with limited or no previous... (More)
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are rapidly emerging as a contributing solution for future fossil-free energy systems globally including Sweden. While SMRs are expected to offer greater flexibility, lower costs, and reduced risks compared to traditional large-scale nuclear reactors, they still present radiological risks. The introduction of SMRs may require new approaches to emergency preparedness (EMP), involving a broader range of stakeholders—many of whom without prior
experience in nuclear safety and radiological emergency preparedness. The potential deployment of SMRs in Swedish regions that currently have no nuclear power production, will necessitate the involvement of municipalities and organizations with limited or no previous experience of radiological EMP, raising challenges in coordination, knowledge transfer, and safety culture development. The ESMOR project is a multidisciplinary project with the aim of identifying
challenges and opportunities for developing radiological emergency preparedness related to SMRs. ESMOR specially addresses the research questions: (1) How can international recommendations on EMP for SMRs be adapted to the Swedish context, and which stakeholders are involved? (2) How prepared are these stakeholders, and how does prior experience of EMP influence their readiness? (3) How do stakeholders perceive and make sense of SMRs and the collaboration for EMP? (4) How can current understanding of radiological and nuclear EMP be developed for future SMRs in Sweden? ESMOR employs a qualitative, multidisciplinary approach, combining literature reviews of international standards and scientific studies of radiological emergency preparedness with interview-based research. Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions are conducted with key stakeholders, including regional and local emergency coordinators, authorities, municipalities, energy producers, and end-users. The study analyzes stakeholders’ knowledge, expectations, and sensemaking processes regarding SMRs and EMP, drawing on social constructivist and sensemaking theory. Comparative case studies will distinguish between organizations with and without prior experience in radiological emergency preparedness planning. The findings will contribute to recommendations for developing local radiological EMP and fostering effective collaboration among the diverse stakeholders. Preliminary interview results show that the strategic thinking around SMR is abstract, complex, and in many cases at an early stage. Concerns regarding the geographical extension of EMP-zones around SMRs and whether an allhazard approach to EMP is sufficient for local authorities has not reached the agenda of the surveyed Swedish stakeholders. Instead, conceptual confusions around SMR technologies exist, emergency preparedness is not in stakeholders’ minds, and there is a need for increased knowledge about energy systems among local authorities, municipalities and the general public. (Less)
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author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to conference
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Emergency preparedness, Radiation safety, Small Modular Reactors, Sensemaking, Emergency preparedness zones
conference name
34th Annual Conference of the Society for Risk Analysis
conference location
Alicante, Spain
conference dates
2026-05-26 - 2026-05-29
project
ESMOR:Emergency preparedness for Small MOdular nuclear Reactors (SMRs)
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
8c3e2ed2-37c9-42f5-876e-242b12c67739
date added to LUP
2026-08-18 18:19:32
date last changed
2026-09-03 07:26:59
@misc{8c3e2ed2-37c9-42f5-876e-242b12c67739,
  abstract     = {{Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are rapidly emerging as a contributing solution for future fossil-free energy systems globally including Sweden. While SMRs are expected to offer greater flexibility, lower costs, and reduced risks compared to traditional large-scale nuclear reactors, they still present radiological risks. The introduction of SMRs may require new approaches to emergency preparedness (EMP), involving a broader range of stakeholders—many of whom without prior<br/>experience in nuclear safety and radiological emergency preparedness. The potential deployment of SMRs in Swedish regions that currently have no nuclear power production, will necessitate the involvement of municipalities and organizations with limited or no previous experience of radiological EMP, raising challenges in coordination, knowledge transfer, and safety culture development. The ESMOR project is a multidisciplinary project with the aim of identifying<br/>challenges and opportunities for developing radiological emergency preparedness related to SMRs. ESMOR specially addresses the research questions: (1) How can international recommendations on EMP for SMRs be adapted to the Swedish context, and which stakeholders are involved? (2) How prepared are these stakeholders, and how does prior experience of EMP influence their readiness? (3) How do stakeholders perceive and make sense of SMRs and the collaboration for EMP? (4) How can current understanding of radiological and nuclear EMP be developed for future SMRs in Sweden? ESMOR employs a qualitative, multidisciplinary approach, combining literature reviews of international standards and scientific studies of radiological emergency preparedness with interview-based research. Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions are conducted with key stakeholders, including regional and local emergency coordinators, authorities, municipalities, energy producers, and end-users. The study analyzes stakeholders’ knowledge, expectations, and sensemaking processes regarding SMRs and EMP, drawing on social constructivist and sensemaking theory. Comparative case studies will distinguish between organizations with and without prior experience in radiological emergency preparedness planning. The findings will contribute to recommendations for developing local radiological EMP and fostering effective collaboration among the diverse stakeholders. Preliminary interview results show that the strategic thinking around SMR is abstract, complex, and in many cases at an early stage. Concerns regarding the geographical extension of EMP-zones around SMRs and whether an allhazard approach to EMP is sufficient for local authorities has not reached the agenda of the surveyed Swedish stakeholders. Instead, conceptual confusions around SMR technologies exist, emergency preparedness is not in stakeholders’ minds, and there is a need for increased knowledge about energy systems among local authorities, municipalities and the general public.}},
  author       = {{Ek, Åsa and Eriksson Stenström, Kristina and Rahm, Henrik and Thelander, Åsa and Rääf, Christopher}},
  keywords     = {{Emergency preparedness; Radiation safety; Small Modular Reactors; Sensemaking; Emergency preparedness zones}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{05}},
  title        = {{Emergency preparedness for Small Modular Reactors (ESMOR) : project aims and preliminary results}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/258398824/Poster_SRA_2026_sa_Ek.pdf}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}