Requirements to be met by the next generation of European light water reactors from the German point of view

As thinking in Siemens/KWU seems to indicate, the further development of the light water reactor line will proceed without leaps and jumps. Even from the safety point of view there is no particular pressure on development, as the concept of safety staggered in depth ensures both observance of the design boundary conditions and the safe shutdown and cooling of the reactor under all operating and accident conditions. Compared to the new concepts and conceptual ideas, respectively, now under development and discussion worldwide, the series of convoy nuclear power plants built last still come up as modern, advanced plants able to bear any comparison. It may be, however, that new conceptual ideas can help improve the acceptance of nuclear power. Within the strategy of preventing events that would exceed the design basis, a level of safety has been achieved which, apparently, cannot be improved upon significantly by adequate technical and financial means. This makes it the primary goal of further development to simplify and, if possible, diversify the technical measures designed to prevent core meltdown at roughly the safety level of the convoy plants. (orig.)