This report has been produced by the Economic Modelling Work Group (EMWG) of the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) to describe a process to produce a methodological framework for evaluating nuclear cost reduction strategies. Key areas for nuclear cost reduction strategies and technologies are categorized under design, construction/production and project management. Application of the framework is illustrated on reactor designs that are based on cost reduction through “functional confinement,” followed by a presentation of a more rigorous application of the methodology.
The report has been written with three goals in mind; first, to create a methodology for creating impactful cost reduction strategies that crosscut a broad set of advanced nuclear reactor technologies; second, to generate an example cost reduction strategy using the methodology; and third, to provide a path forward to improve the methodology and produce additional cost reduction strategies. The EMWG can lead future cost reduction strategy studies, but the range and impact of this body of work is greatly enhanced by the direct contributions from the GIF methodology working groups, task forces, system steering committees for the six Generation IV reactors and the industry panel.
