Nuclear power plant performance objectives for the 1990s

The development of nuclear energy in recent decades as an indispensable energy source has produced a very high standard of reliability and availability. Light water reactors (PWR and BWR) constitute the basis for the commercial application of nuclear energy. Under construction at the end of 1986 were 133 units with a total capacity of c. 118,000 MW(e). Most of these units will start commercial operation between the end of the 'eighties and middle of the 'nineties. A low level increase rate of approx. 28,000 - 30,000 MW up to the year 2000 may be assumed additionally. The objectives for the 1990s are the backfitting of current LWRs as far as necessary and feasible and as a future task the development of the next generation of LWRs. The main goal is seen in cost reduction and shortening construction time to increase the economic viability of nuclear energy compared with fossil fired power plants. In the technical field the reactor core, nuclear fuel, instrumentation and control are areas for improvement. The nuclear fuel cycle will be optimized for higher burnup, lower uranium utilization by application of modified core management methods, improvements in operating flexibility and saving of natural uranium and future development of reprocessing technology and recycling of reprocessed U and Pu. Instrumentation and control systems are areas for evolutionary modifications and/or changes. With the introduction of computer systems in various fields and in the control room, the development of fibre-optical systems and the introduction of microprocessors higher reliability is possible for control of the entire plant and reduction of man-machine interfaces. The application of part task simulators and special simulators beside the well proven full scope simulator enables optimal personnel training and retraining. Another important area for future development and increased plant availability is reduction of planned and unplanned plant outages, shortening refuelling periods, reduction in man-rem exposure and plant life extension. 6 figs