[en] Here is examined the spatial structure of electric energy production divided in hydropower plants (through-flow and re-pumping), thermal power plants as the most expensive way of electric energy production and nuclear power plants where high difficulty and long-term realisation of construction projects and spent financial resources are pointed out. Work describes present structure of electric energy production and consumption and refers to alternative electric energy sources

[en] It is difficult for new sciences and big technologies such as life sciences, nuclear energy, biotechnology, etc. to achieve the appropriate public understanding. One of the issues is the lack of scientific literacy in the public. We propose a new type of nuclear reactor to prepare the opportunity for the public to be acquainted with the information and technology of the nuclear science and engineering. This reactor for interpretation is a symbolic facility adjacent to the scientific and technological museum. Features of the interpretative reactor must be safety and openness. The safety is satisfied by the excess reactivity less than 0.5% Δk/k and little burn up based on the thermal output less than 1 W. (author)

[en] The exhibition hall of nuclear power station contributes to understand the visitors about organizations or safety systems through displays and explanations without difficulty. In addition to that, there will be some effect that they give informations to other people after the inspection, so the exhibition hall of nuclear power station plays a vital role of public information considering tens of thousands of yearly visitors. According to that, we made inquiries to the visitors and tried to search what it should be, intending to investigate their actual situation of attitudes or needs, and to accurate effectivities of the present displays in the center of explanations about the organization of nuclear power plant. As a result, the opinion that 'I want to know the organization of nuclear power plant' accounts over 60%, differing from other data of research. And also the opinion after the inspection that 'I am satisfied with acquiring knowledge about the organization' accounts nearly 60%, much higher compared with other choices. In view of these facts, the efficiency of the exhibition hall was certified. The visitor's attitudes of nuclear power is more affirmative than public's one. Even though considering the differences of the survey method, there must be a difference from the first. Besides that, we gained a discernment that educational functions is important through researches for other company. (author)

[en] The topics presented in this newsletter are: Small and medium sized reactors for developing countries and remote applications; Message from the Director of the Division of Nuclear Power; International workshop on external flooding hazards at nuclear power plant sites; Nuclear power plant operating performance and life cycle management; Improving human performance, Quality and technical infrastructure; Technology developments and applications for advanced reactors; Recent publications; Planned meetings in 2006; WebSite link

[en] Construction of Mochovce NPP started in 1981 - i.e. more than 20 years ago, however it was halted in early 90's after velvet Revolution in former Czechoslovakia. When the (I and C) system was decided in 1989 to be replaced with a state-of-the-art system of Siemens, and it was implemented in early 1990-1, the utility lacked money for further works and building works had to be halted. We were consequently thrown in difficult public and expert debates about the nuclear future: do we really need it? Nuclear is looking for new ways to persuade the public about the need to keep nuclear as a part of the world energy mix. For experts it is clear. It has already been indicated in the Green Book - a report about the future electricity demand coverage by diverse sources made out for the EC. The role of the young people is indispensable in this process. Information campaigns are focused mostly on youngsters from the very young age whose opinions are being formed. Only a long-lasting systematic work with the youth can bring better public opinion. About 95 % of Mochovce NPP visitors are students (mostly primary and secondary schools) - that is important.(author)

[en] The most important wood-fuel power plant is build up in Europe for power generation from biomass

[en] This report utilizes the results of the Solar Two project, as well as continuing technology development, to update the technical and economic status of molten-salt power towers. The report starts with an overview of power tower technology, including the progression from Solar One to the Solar Two project. This discussion is followed by a review of the Solar Two project--what was planned, what actually occurred, what was learned, and what was accomplished. The third section presents preliminary information regarding the likely configuration of the next molten-salt power tower plant. This section draws on Solar Two experience as well as results of continuing power tower development efforts conducted jointly by industry and Sandia National Laboratories. The fourth section details the expected performance and cost goals for the first commercial molten-salt power tower plant and includes a comparison of the commercial performance goals to the actual performance at Solar One and Solar Two. The final section summarizes the successes of Solar Two and the current technology development activities. The data collected from the Solar Two project suggest that the electricity cost goals established for power towers are reasonable and can be achieved with some simple design improvements

[en] This report documents state-of-the-art methods, tools, and data for the conduct of a fire Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) for a commercial nuclear power plant (NPP) application. The methods have been developed under the Fire Risk Re-quantification Study. This study was conducted as a joint activity between EPRI and the U. S. NRC Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES) under the terms of an EPRI/RES Memorandum of Understanding (RS.1) and an accompanying Fire Research Addendum (RS.2). Industry participants supported demonstration analyses and provided peer review of this methodology. The documented methods are intended to support future applications of Fire PRA, including risk-informed regulatory applications. The documented method reflects state-of-the-art fire risk analysis approaches. The primary objective of the Fire Risk Study was to consolidate recent research and development activities into a single state-of-the-art fire PRA analysis methodology. Methodological issues raised in past fire risk analyses, including the Individual Plant Examination of External Events (IPEEE) fire analyses, have been addressed to the extent allowed by the current state-of-the-art and the overall project scope. Methodological debates were resolved through a consensus process between experts representing both EPRI and RES. The consensus process included a provision whereby each major party (EPRI and RES) could maintain differing technical positions if consensus could not be reached. No cases were encountered where this provision was invoked. While the primary objective of the project was to consolidate existing state-of-the-art methods, in many areas, the newly documented methods represent a significant advancement over previously documented methods. In several areas, this project has, in fact, developed new methods and approaches. Such advances typically relate to areas of past methodological debate.

[en] At Beznau nuclear power plant extensive back fitting and modernization measures were performed in the past. This was done in a continuous manner regardless from the original design basis. Due to this approach, the power plant with 35 years of successful operation practically matches the standard of a new plant in terms of the core damage frequency. On this basis Beznau is ready to operate safely up to 50 or 60 years, provided that specified technical and economical improvements will be performed further on and the consent of the Swiss community to nuclear power also persists in the future. (author)

[en] Nuclear power operating experience management might be an important factor for the operational safety improvement. KHNP's nuclear information management system, called KONIS receives, distributes and manages all nuclear information from domestic and foreign, especially operating experience. Ulchin 3 and 4, the first units of OPR 1000 series operates several organizations regarding management of operating experience e.g. specialist group program, various task forces, equipment specialist system for operator, etc. Peer review is another contribution for nuclear safety. (author)