FRAGEMA operating experience under power cycling

When the participation of nuclear power plants to the total electricity production becomes important, as it is the case in France, a large flexibility allowing daily load follow and grid frequency control is needed. Therefore since several years a qualification program has been set up by EDF, CEA and FRAGEMA to demonstrate the capability of fuel to operate safely under systematic power cycling. Both analytical studies, experimental programs and in reactor surveillance have established that there is no significant influence of these operating modes on fuel integrity providing that plant operating procedures are strictly followed. (author)