The strategic lines for developing FBR fuel

In several European countries, there is agreement that fast breeder reactors will one day become the major electronuclear power system. This opinion is unaffected by the present slowing down of economic activities in Europe, which is responsible for the decrease in the electricity growth rate. As a result of this slowing down, however, investment decisions on fast reactor programs have been postponed. This transition period should be used to study ways to obtain more economic fast breeder reactors. Cost reduction can be tackled from many different angles. Regarding fuel it seems possible to simultaneously reduce three aspects of generation costs: capital cost, fuel cycle costs and operation/maintenance costs. Both fuel designer and manufacturer have an important part to play in promoting commercial breeders. Many new fuel design ideas are being discussed in the search for a common European model. They must be qualified by extensive R and D programs followed by commercial demonstration reactors. It is of vital interest to the industry that decisions regarding ordering the first demonstration reactor (after Superphenix) should be taken early enough to start these qualification programs. 3 refs., 1 fig