Perspective on small and medium size reactors

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5123092

Stahlkopf, K E; Braun, C

There has been renewed interests in the United States in small and medium size nuclear power plants (600 MWe or less). The reasons for this include: (1) there is a large uncertainty in load growth projections. Small to medium size nuclear power plants may be better suited to meet uncertain load growth projections. (2) It has been argued that a large economy of scale exists because of the nature of nuclear power installations. A recent examination of the French program shows that no economy of scale exists between the 900 MWe and 1300 MWe plants. Others have suggested that it is possible to reduce the economy of scale so it is not a prohibitive factor. (3) In the past in the United States, it has been customary for several smaller utilities to share the output of a large nuclear plant to take advantage of the perceived economy of scale. Difficulties have been encountered by some of these enterprises. (4) An examination of capacity factors for the United States shows that plants of smaller output appear to operate more reliably and economically than larger plants.

• Research Organization: Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA
• OSTI ID: 5123092
• Report Number(s): CONF-850514-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States) Journal Volume: 49, Suppl. 1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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