Economics of advanced LWR at SMR power range in developing countries

Recently, an alternative approach of efficient electric power generation consisting of a combined cycle with nuclear and gas thermal power has been presented. A consistent economic analysis of this approaches been developed by Florido et al, suggesting the convenience of the gas-nuclear coupling for developing countries. Contrary to the trends followed from classical assessments of nuclear and gas power generation taken separately, the maximization of the superheated temperature was not found to be a good design criterion. In particular in smaller electric grids, CCGTs combine better with SMR than conventional LWR and HWR. For systematic analysis of integrated SMR on electrical grids, the IAEA developed the IREP1.0 code. This code makes several approximations, valid in the power range of large reactors, and is not suitable for the assessment of SMR in small grids. In this article the advanced version of IREP1.0 is presented. IREP2.0 is provided with special models suitable for developing countries' grids. Moreover IREP2.0 includes the capabilities to analyze SMR coupled with gas turbines (GT). Using IREP2.0, a consistent economic assessment of integrated LWR for developing countries is performed. Also the combination with GT has been analyzed, suggesting the possibility of lower levelised costs. The results of this analysis clarify the potential advantages of Integrated SMR for developing countries, the real advantages or not of coupling an Integrated LWR with a CCGT dependent on gas prices, and which is the best design from the economic point of view. The economic assessment analysis must be done carefully for each country taking into account several parameters concerning geological, political and economical situations. Thus the DuCom option is not always the best choice for all situations. These factors will be reflected in the calculation of capital costs, operation and maintenance costs, engineering costs, discount rates, electricity and gas prices. Many developing countries require low capital investment, which means small and medium power generators. Thus the analysis is focused on small and medium integrated reactors. (author)