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In many OECD counties, the penetration of variable renewable energy sources is growing while demand for electricity is flattening. This can create an environment where residual electricity demand, after electricity from variable renewables has been despatched on a priority basis, could be lower than the baseload capacity of nuclear power plants. In a liberalized electricity market this can lead ... more

Flexibility requirements mentioned above should be taken into consideration during the research and development stage of Gen IV systems. For example, the load following mode of operation could induce thermomechanical stresses and lead to accelerated ageing of the components and may require increased inspection and maintenance. Material selection and component and control system design should tak... more

Generation IV reactor systems are being developed to have improved built-in operational flexibility compared to current generation reactors. For example, the fast reactor concepts being developed as Generation IV systems would not have limitations of xenon poisoning of fuel at extended operation at lower load. The fast reactors would have a greater power density and higher fuel burn-up. For some... more

The Generation IV International Forum (GIF) Economic Modeling Working Group (EMWG) has created two main tools to assist with economic evaluation.

In 2007, the EMWG published the Cost Estimating Guidelines for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Sources. This document provides a uniform set of assumptions, a uniform Code of Accounts (COA) and cost-estimating guidelines to be used in developing cost es... more

Nuclear plants are typically characterized by high capital cost and low variable costs. Therefore, the plants have to operate at full capacity to derive the full economic benefit. However, with the advent of abundant variable energy resources on the grid, the nuclear power plants may be required to operate in power modulating mode, with overall lower capacity factor, thus adversely impacting its... more

Operational flexibility is generally understood as the ability of the nuclear power plant to respond to the variability of demand from the grid while maintaining the power quality. The utility requirements in Europe and the United States for the new nuclear plants specify the operational flexibility requirements in terms of load following, power ramp rates, step changes in output, primary and se... more

The economic goals of Generation IV nuclear energy systems, as adopted by the Generation IV International Forum (GIF), are: • to have a life cycle cost advantage over other energy sources (i.e., to have a lower levelised unit cost of energy over their lifetime) • to have a level of financial risk comparable to other energy projects (i.e., to involve similar total capital investment and capital a... more

An economic analysis performed early in the design process can provide designers with valuable insights and information about key cost drivers for their design. This will help focus efforts to improve the cost competitiveness of the technology and reduce the need for rework later in the development process.