Comparing technical and economic parameters of nuclear power plants

The methodologies are briefly outlined used in international comparison of technical and economic parameters of nuclear power plant construction. The comparison uses time equivalents, weighted averages of indices of material consumption for the manufacture of the principal components (natural indices), and the weighted average of the index of consumption of selected direct expenditure items. A method is also described using the utility functions that are assigned to the technical index values which suitably describe the performance of the installation. The method is based on natural indices. The application, however, requires information on Czechoslovak and foreign power plants and the use of expert techniques. The basic problem of the construction of Czechoslovak nuclear power plants, viz. lagging behind in technical parameters, can only be resolved in cooperation of local and foreign designers, manufacturers and operators. (J.P.)