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The Challenges Facing New Generation CapacityAn overview and discussion
Paolo Gaio
Westinghouse International NPP
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The Nuclear Renaissance Has Arrived
However, it must not be forgotten that the Renaissance
would not be possible without the continued safe and
effective operation of the current worldwide fleet
Capacity factors are up and safety-related occurrences are
down, providing the most economic baseload generation in
the world.
THIS IS BOTH A SHARED RESPSONSIBLITY AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO ALL OPERATORS AND VENDORS
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AP1000 Created and Designed to meet Customer Requirements
AP1000 Was Developed To Meet Advanced Light Water Reactor Utility Requirements (ALWR URD)
– Issues were discussed with EPRI ALWR Staff and Utility Staff
– All issues were resolved
Sometimes the design was changed
Sometimes URD requirements were changed
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AP1000 Satisfies EURAP1000 assessed against EUR,
AP1000 Assessment detailed and thorough– Over 5000 requirements
assessed
EUR Certified on 15 May, 2007
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Simplification and Standardization are Key to Future Nuclear Plant Construction
Simplicity and standardization in Design through reduced number of components and bulk commodities
Simplicity in Safety through use of passive safety systems
Simplicity in Construction through modularization
Simplicity in Procurement through standardization of components and plant design
Simplicity in Operation and Maintenance through use of proven systems and components, and man-machine interface advancements
Improved Safety, Competitive Economics and Good Performance
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Essential Change: The New Licensing Process – 10 CFR 52
I TAAC metConstruction
Operation
CombinedConstruction
and OperatingLicense(COL)
Early Site Permit(ESP)
Design Certification AP1000 Certified
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Supply Management ChallengesAbrupt, expanding demand; diminished supply chainLong lead times for specialty steel forgings, SG tubingLogistics of moving large components around the worldCompetition with supply to other industries and
competitors
Standardized plant advantages - efficiency, lower costs:Opportunity to establish a learning curveMultiple standard plants = higher production volumes
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Nuclear is a Local Project Too
Opportunities for local industry
- Craft construction labor and materials
- Module fabrication
- More engagement according to capability
- Operation. Possibly technology transfer, as in:
- Republic of Korea
- China.
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Project Socio-Economic Impact
Locally:
- Develops local artisan
force
- Creates higher skilled,
higher paying jobs
- Ripple-effect to local
economy.
Project Construction Staffing - Including Module Fabrication
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
Months
Eq P
ers Unit 2
Unit 1
Site Devel & Modules
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Human Resource Challenge
After the 1970s, nuclear business retrenched, hiring stalled
Declining enrollment in nuclear engineering schools
Legacy: Gap in the US nuclear work force. Average age, 48 years.
But now…
Nuclear school admissions growing
Opportunities for new graduates at Westinghouse
- 500 new graduates hired over past 5 years
- Expect 150 more/year through at least 2010
- Plus experienced hires
US NRC, 200-400 to be hired/year through 2008
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Modular Construction Allows More To Be Done in Parallel Resulting in Shorter Construction Schedule
36-48 month construction period for the Nth plant, and financing costs that are >25% lower than earlier generations
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New Designs Have to Deliver
Cost basis that can compete with other energy sources
- High degree of certainty for schedule and cost
- Reduced construction time and costIncreased levels of safetyEasier to operate and maintainStandardized plants Expanded Grid Capability
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The Current Position for Grid operators
Grid operators need to maintain the quality, the voltage and frequency of the electricity generated under increasing the pressure of:
– Increasing Electrical Demand
– Aging Generation Plant & Transmission Infrastructure
– Pressure to Reduce CO2 – Driving Renewables
Result – More Flexible Generation Required
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Traditional Generation Mix
Base load typically comprises of Coal and Nuclear – Plants
which have long start up times high capital costs and low
fuel costs.
Peak load is usually supplied from gas fired and hydro
plants that are must faster to come online and have
increasingly higher fuel cost
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Future Generation Mix
Increase in Renewable Generation– Wind & Solar has Transient Output
There is extensive evidence of large-scale mid-winter weather in which very little wind generation was available across Northern Europe
Oswald J et al, ‘Will British Weather Provide Reliable Electricity?’ 2008 and Bach P-F
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AP1000 - Smarter Generation
The AP 1000 uses ‘Grey Rods’ to control the reactor ouput – Not water boronation.
This provides the ability for:– 5% per minute ramp changes– 50% Load change per day and a 2 hour linear
ramp characteristic and this is in addition to…– Follow load changes of less than 10% peak-to-
peak at a rate of 2% per minute of rated load – (That’s equivalent to 12MW in 30seconds)
Full Generation Flexibility while maintaining a 60 Year life