As the world advances toward decarbonization, industrial energy consumers are looking for solutions that go beyond renewable electricity alone. They're seeking reliable, high-temperature outputs created from sustainable (ie. non-fossil) energy sources. They’re demanding flexible, always-on power. And, increasingly, they’re turning to a promising innovation: Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
Unlike traditional nuclear power plants that are massive, centralized, and built primarily for the grid, SMRs are compact, factory-built, and scalable. These characteristics make SMRs ideal for industrial facilities seeking on-site energy solutions that offer both carbon-free electricity, process heat, and more.
From chemical plants to data centers to water treatment facilities, industrial companies are exploring SMRs as a multipurpose energy source. The thermal output of an SMR can drive high-temperature industrial processes, fuel hydrogen production, power desalination plants, and even support district heating systems. But tapping into this potential requires more than just advanced nuclear technology—it demands a sophisticated approach to automation and control.
The Missing Link: Why SMRs Need Advanced Industrial Automation
SMRs are engineered for a fundamentally different role than large-scale reactors. They’re designed to sit close to the point of use, not feed a national grid from afar. That makes seamless integration with surrounding industrial operations essential. And that’s where industrial automation comes in.
A well-designed automation system does more than manage valves and pumps. It delivers real-time monitoring, enables dynamic process control, enforces cybersecurity standards, and supports compliance with nuclear regulations. It’s the glue that connects SMR performance with industrial productivity.
Consider the operational variability across industrial settings. A manufacturing facility might require its SMR to follow fluctuating load demands throughout the day. A refinery, on the other hand, may need constant thermal output. These differences have a direct impact on which SMR design is appropriate—and how its control system must respond.
Some SMRs deliver a flat efficiency curve across a wide power range, making them suitable for load-following scenarios. Others are optimized to run at a steady thermal output. In either case, a sophisticated automation strategy is needed to ensure the SMR interacts appropriately with the broader plant.
Yet many SMR developers, focused primarily on the nuclear technology itself, underestimate the importance of industrial integration. This oversight delays deployments, increases costs, and creates friction when it’s time to bring the reactor online.
Key considerations for SMR Developers When Selecting an Automation Partner
To accelerate time to market and maximize value, SMR developers need an automation partner that understands both nuclear requirements and industrial operations. Here are five critical qualities to look for:
1. Scalable control architecture
Industrial applications vary widely. One site might only need a skid-level control solution. Another might require a full distributed control system (DCS) integrated with supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA).
Rockwell Automation’s platform is built with this scalability in mind. Whether you’re automating a single module or an entire facility, Rockwell delivers an integrated architecture that grows with your needs—without introducing complexity or requiring significant reengineering.
2. Cybersecurity and compliance
Nuclear energy demands a rigorous approach to cybersecurity. Control systems must often be air-gapped and meet strict standards, such as NEI 08-09 and other Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) frameworks.
Rockwell’s systems are engineered to comply with these requirements from the ground up. By minimizing the number of disconnected platforms and eliminating unnecessary communication pathways, Rockwell solutions reduce risk while simplifying audits and approvals.
3. Workforce familiarity and maintenance simplicity
One advantage of Rockwell Automation is its prevalence across the industrial landscape. Many facilities already use Rockwell systems for process control, which means the local workforce is already trained on the platform. This familiarity dramatically reduces commissioning time, lowers training costs, and simplifies long-term maintenance—especially in industries where technical staffing is already stretched thin.
4. Speed of deployment and cost efficiency
SMR deployments are capital-intensive. Every delay increases financial pressure. That’s why automation solutions must be fast to implement, easy to integrate, and efficient to maintain. With a single, unified platform, Rockwell reduces the need for multiple vendors and incompatible technologies. That not only accelerates deployment—it reduces engineering costs, minimizes documentation, and cuts down on future troubleshooting.
5. Ecosystem of technology partners
Finally, successful SMR deployment doesn’t happen in isolation. It requires integration with a range of technologies—instrumentation, sensors, data analytics tools, and more.
Rockwell’s ecosystem of trusted technology partners allows SMR developers to tap into proven, interoperable solutions. Whether you're adding predictive maintenance tools, digital twin simulations, or plant-wide data visibility, Rockwell makes it easier to integrate those technologies into your SMR-powered facility.
The Future of SMRs and Industrial Automation
The next generation of nuclear energy isn’t large-scale or centralized—it’s distributed, and tailored to the energy demands of specific industries. SMRs will play a pivotal role in helping manufacturers decarbonize while maintaining reliability and process efficiency. But they won’t do it alone. Advanced automation is the bridge between nuclear promise and industrial performance.
As more SMRs come online across diverse applications—from ammonia plants to hyperscale data centers—those equipped with robust automation will stand apart. They’ll operate more reliably, respond more dynamically to demand, and meet regulatory standards with greater ease.
Why Rockwell Automation?
Rockwell has decades of experience across nuclear energy, manufacturing and process industries, Rockwell has earned the trust of engineers, plant managers, and OEMs worldwide.
Its solutions are:
- Proven across mission-critical industries
- Scalable for facilities of all sizes
- Compliant with the highest cybersecurity and nuclear safety standards
- Supported by a global network of experts and partners
By partnering with Rockwell, SMR developers can focus on their core nuclear technology—while leaving integration, automation, and industrial performance to a trusted expert.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re an SMR developer or an industrial operator exploring SMR deployment, now is the time to start the automation conversation. Connect with Rockwell Automation’s nuclear energy experts to discuss how we help you build smarter, safer, and more scalable SMR-powered operations.