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"Evolutionary" Nuclear Plants: Large, Improved
Two "evolutionary" nuclear plant designs developed. Two U.S. nuclear companies, ABB Combustion Engineering Nuclear Power, subsequently acquired by Westinghouse, and General Electric Co., have designed large (1,350-megawatt) light water reactors. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued final design certification for these plants in 1997.
Improving a time-tested nuclear plant design. "Evolutionary" designs build directly on a previous design and on the experience and lessons learned from plants already operating around the world. The "evolutionary" designs optimize the light water reactor, producing a plant that is simpler, easier to operate and maintain, and costs less to build. Safety studies indicate that these designs will be able to meet safety goals that are more than 100 times greater than those of current plants.
Making use of technological advances for safety and economy. Since today’s nuclear plants were designed and built, there have been tremendous strides in many technological areas. Electronic control systems are a good example. Today’s nuclear power plants have miles of control cable. Tomorrow’s plants will greatly reduce the amount of cabling required through the use of multiplexed, digital control systems, including state-of-the-art fiber optic technology. The new control systems are more reliable, more compact, easier to operate and thus safer. They are also simpler, which cuts construction time and cost.
Redesigned plant control room. The revolution in electronic controls extends into the control room. Display panels and controls have been completely redesigned. Simple black-and-white dials, for example, will be replaced with more user-friendly video screens showing key trend lines in color.
Two "evolutionary" nuclear plant designs developed. Two U.S. nuclear companies, ABB Combustion Engineering Nuclear Power, subsequently acquired by Westinghouse, and General Electric Co., have designed large (1,350-megawatt) light water reactors. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued final design certification for these plants in 1997.
Improving a time-tested nuclear plant design. "Evolutionary" designs build directly on a previous design and on the experience and lessons learned from plants already operating around the world. The "evolutionary" designs optimize the light water reactor, producing a plant that is simpler, easier to operate and maintain, and costs less to build. Safety studies indicate that these designs will be able to meet safety goals that are more than 100 times greater than those of current plants.
Making use of technological advances for safety and economy. Since today’s nuclear plants were designed and built, there have been tremendous strides in many technological areas. Electronic control systems are a good example. Today’s nuclear power plants have miles of control cable. Tomorrow’s plants will greatly reduce the amount of cabling required through the use of multiplexed, digital control systems, including state-of-the-art fiber optic technology. The new control systems are more reliable, more compact, easier to operate and thus safer. They are also simpler, which cuts construction time and cost.
Redesigned plant control room. The revolution in electronic controls extends into the control room. Display panels and controls have been completely redesigned. Simple black-and-white dials, for example, will be replaced with more user-friendly video screens showing key trend lines in color.
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