Nuclear power plant life extension
Nuclear plant life extension represents an opportunity to achieve additional productive years of operation from existing nuclear power facilities. This is particularly important since operating licenses for over 50 GW of nuclear capacity will expire by the year 2010. By the year 2015, 85% of the total planned nuclear electric capacity will face retirement due to license expirations. Achieving additional productive years of operation from the nation's existing light water reactors is the goal of ongoing utility, vendor, US Department of Energy, and Electric Power Research Institute programs. Identifying potential technical issues associated with extending plant life and scoping realistic solutions represent first steps toward the development of a coordinated national plant life extension strategy. This is a substantial effort that must consider the breadth of issues associated with nuclear power plant design, operation, and licensing, and the numerous potential plant life extension strategies that may be appropriate to different utilities. Such an effort must enlist the expertise of the full spectrum of organizations in the nuclear industry including utilities, vendors, consultants, national laboratories, and professional organizations. A primary focus of these efforts is to identify operational changes and improvements in record-keeping, which, if implemented now, could enhance and preserve the life extension option.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM
- OSTI ID:
- 6623687
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-860610-; TRN: 87-016345
- Journal Information:
- Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States), Vol. 52; Conference: American Nuclear Society annual meeting, Reno, NV, USA, 15 Jun 1986
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Overview of United States Department of Energy activities to support life extension of nuclear power plants
Related Subjects
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
BWR TYPE REACTORS
REACTOR SAFETY
SERVICE LIFE
PWR TYPE REACTORS
AGING
CRACKS
EMBRITTLEMENT
EPRI
FATIGUE
INFORMATION NEEDS
PERFORMANCE
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR LICENSING
RELIABILITY
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
STRESS CORROSION
THERMAL STRESSES
US DOE
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CORROSION
LICENSING
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
RADIATION EFFECTS
REACTORS
SAFETY
STRESSES
US ORGANIZATIONS
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS
220900* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Reactor Safety
210100 - Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Boiling Water Cooled
210200 - Power Reactors
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Light-Water Moderated
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