Recent development for improving the PWR flexibility to load follow and frequency control operation

The increasing production of nuclear electricity generated by PWR in the French network will modify the operating conditions of these plants for adjusting the electricity generation to the consumption. For assessing the adequacy of main components, FRAMATOME, in conjunction with Electricite de France and the Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique has undertaken a large R and D effort and initiated significant design changes for sustaining the new operating modes including. Daily load follow and frequency remote dispatch operation (+- 5% random fluctuation load around a present value). These new operating conditions generate additional mechanical and thermal sollicitations due to the frequent motion of control rod banks, consisting of: a) Mechanical fatigue cycling and wear at the level of control rod drive mechanisms (CRDM), control rods and guides tubes. b) Wear and thermal fatigue cycling at the level of fuel assemblies. This paper will present the various aspects of this program including: Identification of the most critical areas of components; Basic research in laboratories for resolving wear problems in PWR environment; Improvement of local hydraulics for reducing loads; Endurance testing of full scale components on testing facilities. (orig./GL)