scholarly journals Trends in the Energy and Engineering Industry From a Nuclear Power Perspective

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
James H. Nordahl
Keyword(s):  
21St Century ◽  
Electricity Market ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
High Growth ◽  
Engineering Industry ◽  
Aging Effects

Abstract The purpose of this paper will be to discuss the role of nuclear power in world energy production during the 21st century. Nuclear power is currently a significant source of the global electricity supply, providing approximately 16% of the world’s electricity, and world consumption of nuclear power is continuing to grow. Worldwide nuclear capacity is projected to increase from 349 gigawatts (in 1998) to 368 gigawatts in 2010. Much of this near-term increase in nuclear capacity is due to aggressive plans for nuclear capacity expansion in Asia. Longer term high growth projections for nuclear power include assumptions of limited reactor aging effects, with more reactors operating after license renewals. In early 2000, the USNRC issued the first license renewals for nuclear power plants, for a 20 year extension beyond the expiration of the initial license term. In addition, utilities have already notified the USNRC of plans to submit renewal applications for more than 20 units by 2003. License renewal is expected to be an attractive option for companies as the most inexpensive means of future electricity generation. Another factor pointing towards the positive prospects for nuclear power in the future are the substantial improvements seen in plant safety, reliability and output over the last two decades. Due to improved management practices, higher reliability and output, and shorter refueling outages, the average production cost of US nuclear power plants has steadily decreased over the last five years. Based solely on economic factors, most US nuclear units should be able to compete in a competitive electricity market. Many additional factors point to nuclear power as an energy source which will become increasingly important in the 21st century. These factors include environmental considerations such as carbon emissions from fossil fuels, reduced waste quantities produced by nuclear power, and the security of supply of uranium reserves.

Nuclear Power in the UK Electricity Market: From a Limited Future to Eternal Life and Back Again?

2002 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-261
Author(s):  
Steve Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Electricity Market ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Eternal Life ◽  
Nuclear Plants ◽  
Supply Industry ◽  
The Uk

In 1990, the privatisation of the British electricity supply industry revealed how uneconomic Britain's nuclear power plants were. The nuclear sector was withdrawn from privatisation and it seemed likely that by 2000, most of Britain's nuclear power plants would be closed. However, operating costs were dramatically reduced and in 1996, most of the nuclear plants were privatised in British Energy. Nuclear output made an important contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the future looked secure for the existing plants. However, the early success of British Energy was based on an inflated wholesale electricity price and by 2000, British Energy was struggling to cover its costs. The British government is now conducting a review of energy policy. The economic case for new nuclear power plants is poor but the need to meet greenhouse gas emission targets and the influence British Energy and BNFL may ensure the long-term future of the existing plants.

Management of Radioactive Waste and Materials Arising From the Decommissioning of Italian Nuclear Power Plants

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaetano Ruggeri ◽  
Luigi Brusa
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
Boundary Conditions ◽  
Electricity Market ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Global Strategy ◽  
Acceptance Criteria ◽  
Radioactive Materials

Abstract Scope of the paper is to summarise the experience about management of materials arising from decommissioning of Italian NPPs, and to illustrate criteria, procedures and systems, which Sogin is defining to manage the problem of the clearance of sites and materials, considering the international experience and boundary conditions existing in the Country. Since 1962 Enel (the largest Italian utility for electric power) has operated the four Italian nuclear power plants: Garigliano (160 MWe BWR), Latina (210 MWe GCR), Trino (270 MWe PWR) and Caorso (882 MWe BWR). These NPPs were shutdown in the 80’s: Garigliano NPP was shutdown in 1982 following a decision made by Enel, based on technical and economical reasons, Latina, Trino and Caorso NPPs following decisions made by the Italian Government after the Chernobyl accident. The “deferred decommissioning (SAFSTOR)” was the decommissioning strategy selected by Enel and approved by the competent Authorities, due to the lack of a repository for the disposal of radioactive materials and of release limits for clearance of materials. Activities have been started aimed at reaching the “Safe Enclosure” condition, which would have lasted for some decades, before final dismantling of plants. In 1999 the liberalisation of the Italian electricity market led Enel to separate its nuclear activities, forming a new Company, named Sogin, to which decommissioning Italian NPPs was committed. At the same time, considering pressures, both at national and local level, to adopt the “prompt decommissioning (DECON)” strategy, in December 1999 the Italian Minister of Industry, with the intent to accelerate the dismantling of Italian NPPs, presented the plans to create a national repository for nuclear waste, and asked Sogin to revise the decommissioning plans, according to the new global strategy, taking into account all the relevant technical, organisational, financial and legislative aspects of the problem. As the DECON strategy enhances the importance of “clean-up” both of sites and materials, the related aspects are held in due consideration in developing the decommissioning plans, which deal with the following: • characterisation of plant systems, components and structures; • decontamination and dismantling techniques; • monitoring of dismantled materials for clearance; • treatment of dismantled, radioactive materials (which cannot be cleared), prior to disposal; • treatment and conditioning of radioactive waste, prior to disposal; • final clearance of sites. Authorisation requirement related to the release, recycle and reuse of materials produced during plant decommissioning, together with the acceptance criteria for disposal of radioactive materials, are of key importance, considering that the change in decommissioning strategy increases the quantity of radioactive waste to be disposed of, the costs for waste treatment, transportation and disposal, and the capacity of the national repository. In this connection, Sogin is discussing with competent Authorities and Bodies in order to define clearance criteria and disposal acceptance criteria, which neither impair nor complicate the future dismantling operations. In (1) details are given about Italian decommissioning Regulation, decommissioning strategy and Organisation, in order to show the boundary conditions, which exist in Italy for planning and development of NPPs Decommissioning Projects. In the following paragraphs the decommissioning strategy is summarised first together with some critical items of decommissioning; then the Italian regulation about the management of radioactive waste is reported. The management of waste and materials, which will arise from the decommissioning of Italian nuclear power plants, is driven by the requirements imposed by the competent Authorities basing on this regulation.

Maintenance and Testing Errors in Nuclear Power Plants: A Preliminary Assessment

1980 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 280-284
Author(s):  
S. Keith Adams ◽  
Zeinab A. Sabri ◽  
Abdo A. Husseiny
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Individual Responsibility ◽  
Human Factors Engineering ◽  
Hardware System ◽  
Safety And Reliability ◽  
Maintenance Work ◽  
Erroneous Data

Safety and reliability in the operation of nuclear power plants have been topics for intense analysis and debate in recent years. Once crucial factor which has received little attention until very recently, is human reliability in the operation, maintenance and testing of nuclear plants. Maintenance and testing errors are of particular importance in that, despite the fact that they are relatively few in number compared with hardware related events, their occurrence programs the system for future operator errors bv introducing erroneous data in operator-hardware system communication or by eliminating a portion of that communication. Erroneous data or a lack of anticipated feedback following control actions by the operator can tend to cause further inappropriate responses and to escalate the frequency of operator errors. Such effects are most undesirable during emergencies. A number of improvements based upon improved human factors engineering will be necessary to eliminate maintenance errors of the type encountered in this study. These include: standardization of design for given types of subsystems, standardization of maintenance operations, work simplification involving both physical and psychological aspects of maintenance work, the use of training simulators to increase the amount of practice in performing maintenance operations, automanual control to show predicted outcome of results, assignment of individual responsibility and accountability to specific hardware subsystems, measures of job performance against some criterion, programmed instruction, improved divisions of responsibility among maintenance, operating and technical personnel, and improved management practices.

Environmental Considerations for Preparing Permit Applications of New Nuclear Power Plants Located in Greenfield Sites

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping K. Wan ◽  
Desmond W. Chan ◽  
Alice C. Carson
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Cooling System ◽  
The United States ◽  
Attractive Alternative ◽  
Socioeconomic Impacts ◽  
Power Generators ◽  
Available Technology

Nuclear power generation has become an increasingly attractive alternative in the United States (U.S.) power market due to several factors: growing demand for electric power, increasing global competition for fossil fuels, concern over greenhouse gas emissions and their potential impact on climate change, and the desire for energy independence. Assuring the protection of people and the environment are of paramount concern to nuclear power generators and regulators as we move towards a possible nuclear renaissance. Thus, sound engineering design is of utmost important and potential environmental and safety concerns must be carefully evaluated and disposition during permitting of the new nuclear power plants. Areas to be considered in order to alleviate these concerns include the following: • Site meteorology and dispersion conditions of the area; • Evaluation of radiological consequence during normal plant operation and emergency conditions; • Water availability for plant cooling system; • Evaluation of potential land use, water use, ecological and socioeconomic impacts of the proposed action. This paper focuses on site suitability evaluation for greenfield sites through site characterization, examination of challenges/constraints in deployment of available technology/plant systems, and mapping of permitting compliance strategy. Case studies related to selection of plant systems based on the environmental site conditions, preferred compliance plan, and public acceptance, are included.

scholarly journals Impact of Electric Power Pricing Reforms on the Japan’s Industry and Household Sector

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Woojong Jung
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Price Index ◽  
Consumer Price Index ◽  
Electricity Prices ◽  
Business Services ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

<p align="justify">After the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident, Japan had an opportunity to advance its economic and energy policies to pursue stable energy supply, economic efficiency, environmental security, and safety. The accident not only raised concerns regarding the safety of nuclear power plants but also increased awareness regarding the effect of energy import growth on the economy and related issues such as the effect of imports on Japan’s international competitiveness. This study simulates the impact on electricity prices using three potential scenarios for Japan. According to the results, the consumer price index (CPI) was larger than the corporate goods price index (CGPI) for Japan in all cases. In the simulation results, the CPI was observed to have an increased effect of 0.88%–3.59% against a 0.84%–3.41% increase in the CGPI. The surge in electricity prices significantly impacted the supply of electricity, gas, and heating and also the business services sector. The cost of policies that maintain safety, the increase in costs resulting from the overseas importation of fossil fuels, and the cost of promoting renewable energy in conjunction with the reutilization of nuclear power plants leading to higher electricity prices will also be considered in the future.</p>

scholarly journals The Challenges of Implementing the Indonesian Experimental Power Reactor (RDE) Program

2021 ◽  
Vol 2048 (1) ◽  
pp. 012001
Author(s):  
D S Wisnubroto ◽  
G R Sunaryo ◽  
Y S B Susilo ◽  
S Bahri ◽  
T Setiadipura
Keyword(s):  
Cost Estimation ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Abstract This paper shows the effort to implement the RDE and its challenges from 2013 to 2018. RDE was a program to introduce nuclear power plants by building non-commercial power reactors. The RDE program was also used to prove that Indonesian engineers can design a reactor that will later supply electricity and steam for industry. The technology used is a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor. This RDE program is a very strategic intermediate target for energy security and national sovereignty. The development of RDE-based nuclear power plants, in the long run, is expected to have implications for reducing reliance on fossil fuels, more self-sufficiency in energy supply increases national industrial capacity and competitiveness in the global economic order, as well as enhance energy and political diplomacy. Also, RDE can be a reference installation for PeLUIt (Power and Steam Generators for Industry) power plants for small and medium enterprises to meet the demand for electricity and industrial heat in an area’s needs. However, many challenges occurred to implement this program; among them were cost estimation and cost-benefit analysis. Although the program has not been realized, mainly for financial reasons, many positive things have been obtained from these activities.

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