Further improvement in ABWR (part-1) rationalization and standardization of the ABWR project

Kashiwazaki-Kariwa no.6 and no.7 (K-6/7), the world first Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWR) units, started commercial operations on November 7, 1996 and July 2, 1997 respectively. ABWR has been developed as a standard design of the next generation BWR to meet common goals set by the Japanese electric utilities and BWR manufacturers (GE, Hitachi and Toshiba) based on our design, construction, operation and maintenance experience of nuclear power plants. The constructions of K-6/7 and confirmatory tests for the verification of the first-of-a-kind (FOAK) design features of ABWR were conducted smoothly without any delay. TEPCO is now making every effort for further improvement to the next ABWR construction project. The following are our focal points of the improvement. (1) Standardization of plant design and project control work flow. (2) Rationalization and simplification of plant facility. (3) Application of information technology to the standard work flow that covers manufacturers, utilities and the government for improved productivity. (4) Rationalization of quality control and promotion of international procurement. (5) Technical support to international projects of nuclear power plant construction. (author)