Saving fuel by regular stretch-out operation

As nuclear fuel shortages and reprocessing delays become apparent, nuclear fuel conservation measures constantly gain in importance. Is full-load operation of a nuclear power plant replaced by a combined operation with full-load and subsequent stretch-out operation, then the refuelling quantity can be reduced and fuel saved. However, the proposed mode of operation means, on account of lower output during stretch-out operation, less energy production. Thus, fuel savings and production losses have to be brought into comparison. (orig.)