Are light water reactors the solution. [For future electricity demand]

Journal Article · · Energy (Stamford, Conn.); (United States)

OSTI ID:7326746

Strauch, S

Although long-term energy needs look to the breeder reactor (LMFBR) programs, ERDA-sponsored short-term programs are also directed to improving the productivity of the light water reactor (LWR). Specific efforts are aimed at shortening the downtime needed to reload fuels and maintain plants, improving the diagnosis of operating performance, and shortening the time needed for plant decontamination and construction. Mr. Strauch feels that LER's will continue to be economical, safe, and reliable for generating electricity in the next century if the fast breeder can provide much of their fissile materials. Comparisons with fossil-fuel plants (primarily coal-fired) show that nuclear plant average unit costs are slightly higher for operation, maintenance, supplies, and fixed costs, but significantly lower for fuel, production, and generating costs. The price of uranium, however, will increase in the next five years from $10 to $30 or $40 per pound. Analysis of projected costs, assuming a 500,000 megawatt capacity, indicates that without the introduction of the LMFBR costs for LWR power will increase dramatically as uranium resources are depleted. It is expected that by 2025, according to Mr. Strauch LMFBR plants will generate enough plutonium for all new plants as well as all LWR plants, with electricity generating costs about 30 percent of today's modern coal-fired plant. (DCK)

• Research Organization: Energy Research and Development Administration, Washington, DC
• OSTI ID: 7326746
• Journal Information: Energy (Stamford, Conn.); (United States), Journal Name: Energy (Stamford, Conn.); (United States) Vol. 2:1; ISSN ENGYD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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210100 -- Power Reactors
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210500 -- Power Reactors
Breeding
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
ACTINIDES
BREEDER REACTORS
CAPITAL
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COAL
CONSTRUCTION
COST
ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
EPITHERMAL REACTORS
FAST REACTORS
FBR TYPE REACTORS
FOSSIL FUELS
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
FUELS
LIQUID METAL COOLED REACTORS
LMFBR TYPE REACTORS
MAINTENANCE
METALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NUCLEAR FUELS
NUCLEAR POWER
OPERATION
POWER
POWER GENERATION
POWER PLANTS
PRODUCTION
REACTOR MAINTENANCE
REACTOR MATERIALS
REACTOR SAFETY
REACTORS
SAFETY
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
URANIUM
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
WATER COOLED REACTORS