Nuclear Power Project Research Articles

Research and Application of CAD/CAE Integration in Analysis of Supports in Nuclear Power Plants

To overcome the shortcomings of the traditional analysis method of supports in nuclear power plants in terms of quality and efficiency, the automatic identification algorithms of welding joints and loading joints of steel structure were solved, based on in-depth research on the topological and geometric characteristics of CAD models of various supports. CAD / CAE integration software with independent intellectual property was developed by PML (Programmable Macro Language). It not only solved the problem of topological connectivity identification in the process of data exchange between CAD and CAE software and realized the pre-processing automation of CAE models of various supports in nuclear power plants, but also was successfully applied to a nuclear power project and obtained remarkable economic benefits.

Residents’ behavioural intentions to resist the nuclear power plants in the vicinity: an application of the protective action decision model

Nuclear power is growing rapidly in China. The ultimate goal of developing nuclear power is to mitigate the energy crisis, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and ensure sustainable economic development. However, the ‘not-in-my-backyard’ (NIMBY) attitude may influence the implementation of nuclear power projects. This study explores the determinants of behavioural intentions to resist nuclear power plants (NPPs) based on the protective action decision model (PADM). A survey of the residents (N = 432) near the Haiyang NPP significantly validated the hypothesized relations. Results suggest that information acquisition and public participation can significantly predict perceived knowledge. Perceived knowledge is important in predicting perceived benefits, NIMBY attitude, and behavioural intentions. Moreover, two inverted-U relationships for perceived knowledge with the NIMBY attitude and with behavioural intentions are observed. Furthermore, the NIMBY attitude and behavioural intentions are significantly stimulated by perceived risks, but failed to be motivated by perceived benefits. An inverted-U relationship between perceived benefits and perceived risk is also indicated. The results that the NIMBY attitude and residential distance to NPP have played significant roles in predicting behavioural intentions are obtained. Implications of our results and areas of further researches are discussed in this article as well.

Current status and emerging trends in financing nuclear power projects

Traditionally, governments have used domestic public sector funds to finance nuclear power projects. However, a recent trend shows that governments, world-wide, are increasingly looking towards the private sector for new financing approaches with different risk and ownership structures that mitigate risk, and new contractual arrangements that aim to lower the fiscal burden associated with nuclear power projects. This paper gives an overview of the major challenges related to financing nuclear power plants such as the high upfront capital cost, sensitivity to interest rate and long construction time. The paper then discuses existing and emerging financing strategies and contractual arrangements for both, government and private investors. The analysis eventually evaluates the potential of the emerging financing approaches to resolve some of the challenges associated with the deployment of nuclear power but there is no one-answer, as each project is unique and requires careful review regarding the applicability of the financing model, as some of these approaches may have their own challenges.

Global Nuclear Power Development Trend in 2016

This paper mainly describes the situation of global nuclear power units both operational and under construction, summarizes the development progress of key construction nuclear power projects, and the characteristics of the global nuclear power development, including policy and planning, deployment of advanced nuclear power technology and small modular reactors technologies, global nuclear power market competition and cooperation, as well as active development of China’s nuclear power “Go global” strategy, it briefly analyzes the development trend and prospects of nuclear power.

Russian nuclear energy diplomacy in Finland and Hungary

We compare Russian nuclear energy diplomacy toward Finland and Hungary, where the Russian state corporation Rosatom intends to build nuclear power plants by the 2020s. Russian nuclear energy diplomacy features Rosatom working with other state institutions, its own subsidiaries, and an extensive network of companies and R&D actors to support Russian nuclear power projects abroad. Using the structuration approach, we find three interests driving such diplomacy: energy business and associated profits; modernization of the Russian economy, including the diversification of its export structure; while foreign policy interests are also involved, considering the constraints emerging in EU–Russia energy diplomacy in the oil and gas sectors, including the sanctions since 2014. Some domestic actors in Finland and Hungary make the linkage between nuclear energy and foreign policy as explicit as do some Western commentators. Seeking to pursue these interests, Russian actors must accommodate their considerable assets to the structural constraints they encounter in the target countries. We identify four structural dimensions: the Russian actors are well endowed as regards the resources, technology, and infrastructure dimension; and the dimension of finance, business models, and markets. However, on the institutional dimension, they face a less controllable environment. Regarding the ecological dimension, they must conform to local safety requirements. In both cases, Russian actors were able to strengthen perceptions of joint interests with actors in the target country facilitating the nuclear power plant projects, thereby paving the way for the use of soft power.

Contract structure for nuclear power projects

The UK government chose an unusual contract structure for the procurement of their programmes of civil nuclear power projects. British manufacturing and construction companies were invited to form consortia to compete for ‘turnkey’ contracts to design and supply complete power stations. The government continued with this structure until late in their second programme of projects. The results met the objective of national independence in power supply, but at a cost. This paper reviews the structure used in the UK, its evolution through two programmes of projects and lessons to be learned for new projects. The paper draws on published material, official papers, private records and reports from other countries. The most important lessons are that project sponsors should give rigorous attention to the choice of contract structure when initiating such major projects and that the structures open to them are not unique to their industry.

Perceptions of China’s outward foreign direct investment in European critical infrastructure and strategic industries

This study analyses impacts of China’s outward foreign direct investment on host country policies and on the bilateral relationship with China by unravelling European and Chinese perceptions. We compare how China’s takeover of German robotics manufacturer KUKA AG and the investment into nuclear power project Hinkley Point C in the UK were perceived amongst European societal, economic and political stakeholders. Based on media articles, companies’ statements, political statements and interviews in China and the UK, we argue that China’s investments in Europe lead to threat perceptions amongst host country stakeholders and fuel debates on whether and how to regulate deals that could harm security and technology interests. While rising threat perceptions have already altered FDI policies in the UK, the German case inherits the potential to alter economic policies.

A probabilistic approach to the computation of the levelized cost of electricity

This paper sets forth a novel approach to calculate the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) using a probabilistic model that accounts for endogenous input parameters. The approach is applied to the example of a nuclear and gas power project. Monte Carlo simulation results show that a correlation between input parameters has a significant effect on the model outcome. By controlling for endogeneity, a statistically significant difference in the mean LCOE estimate and a change in the order of input leverages is observed. Moreover, the paper discusses the role of discounting options and external costs in detail. In contrast to the gas power project, the economic viability of the nuclear project is considerably weaker.

English

Cement concrete is the most extensively used construction material. Maintenance and repair of concrete structures is a growing problem involving significant expenditure. As a result carried out worldwide, it has been made possible to process the material to satisfy more stringent performance requirements, especially long–term durability. HPC is the latest development in concrete. It has become very popular and is being used in many prestigious projects such as Nuclear power projects, flyovers multi-storeyed buildings. When using HPC, the addition of supplementary materials in cement has dramatically increased along with the development of concrete industry, due to the consideration of cost saving, energy saving, environmental concerns both in terms of damage caused by the extraction of raw materials and carbon dioxide emission during cement manufacture have brought pressures to reduce cement consumption. Metakaolin looks to be a promising supplementary cementitious material for high-performance concrete. Properties of concrete with metakaolin are mostly preferred additives in high-performance concrete. A possible lower cost, due to large availability in our country itself may be advantages to metakaolin usage in HPC. The substitution proportion of metakaolin is to be used was 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by the weight of cement. To make this cubes and cylinders to determine the strength and durability of concrete of it. The results indicate that the replacing mix up to till the last percent has to note and effect on strength in comparing with mixer without metakaolin.

What is “Chernobyl Syndrome?” The Use of Radiophobia in Nuclear Communications

ABSTRACTThis article examines the use of “radiophobia,” “Chernobyl syndrome,” “irrationality,” and other similar concepts in communications on nuclear issues. Historically, these terms have been used in two ways: to describe psychological effects among people affected by nuclear disasters such as Hiroshima or Chernobyl, and to explain the concerns of the unaffected lay public about radiation or nuclear power projects. The latter was actively used in the Soviet Union and in post-Soviet countries such as Belarus to rejects citizens’ complaints and to denounce the arguments of the anti-nuclear camp. This study argues that although the terms can legitimately be used in many situations, their use in communications about nuclear issues can be problematic.

A Probabilistic Approach to the Computation of the Levelized Cost of Electricity

This paper sets forth a novel approach to calculate the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) using a probabilistic model that accounts for endogenous input parameters. The approach is applied to the example of a nuclear and gas power project. Monte Carlo simulation results show that a correlation between input parameters has a significant effect on the model outcome. By controlling for endogeneity, a statistically significant difference in the mean LCOE estimate and a change in the order of input leverages is observed. Moreover, the paper discusses the role of discounting options and external costs in detail. In contrast to the gas power project, the economic viability of the nuclear project is considerably weaker.

Analysis of the Real Options in Nuclear Investment under the Dynamic Influence of Carbon Market

Abstract This paper based on the Monte Carlo method and real option theory to set up nuclear energy investment evaluation model. As application, this model is used to evaluate the value of China's zhejiang province sanmen nuclear power plant under abandon option. First, consider the influence factors under the market mechanism and the non-market mechanism, the influence factors under the market mechanism are close to reality. Then, compare the plant value under two kinds of situations about considering the carbon value and does not consider carbon value, carbon value added can increase cash flow in the process of nuclear power project operation, and make the enterprises rethink investing in the original stage won’t invest, avoid investment opportunity are missed.

Importance of Advanced Planning of Manufacturing for Nuclear Industry

Abstract In the context of energy demands by growing economies, climate changes, fossil fuel pricing volatility, and improved safety and performance of nuclear power plants, many countries express interest in expanding or acquiring nuclear power capacity. In the light of the increased interest in expanding nuclear power the supply chain for nuclear power projects has received more attention in recent years. The importance of the advanced planning of procurement and manufacturing of components of nuclear facilities is critical for these projects. Many of these components are often referred to as long-lead items. They may be equipment, products and systems that are identified to have a delivery time long enough to affect directly the overall timing of a project. In order to avoid negatively affecting the project schedule, these items may need to be sourced out or manufactured years before the beginning of the project. For nuclear facilities, long-lead items include physical components such as large pressure vessels, instrumentation and controls. They may also mean programs and management systems important to the safety of the facility. Authorized nuclear operator training, site evaluation programs, and procurement are some of the examples. The nuclear power industry must often meet very demanding construction and commissioning timelines, and proper advanced planning of the long-lead items helps manage risks to project completion time. For nuclear components there are regulatory and licensing considerations that need to be considered. A national nuclear regulator must be involved early to ensure the components will meet the national legal regulatory requirements. This paper will discuss timing considerations to address the regulatory compliance of nuclear long-lead items.

신규 원전의 시장전망 및 금융조달의 과제와 대안

비록 미국에서는 1970년대 중반부터 최근까지 신규 원전프로젝트 건설이 없었지만, 여러 국가에서 주로 에너지 시큐리티와 전력에너지원 다변화 정책의 일환으로 원전의 신규건설이 지속되어 왔다. 금세기 초부터 여러 가지 이유로 원자력 산업은 재부흥이 일어나고 있는 양상이었고, 원전 프로젝트에 대한 투자에 있어서도 민간 금융부문로부터 긍정적인 관심을 불러 일으켰다. 하지만 2008년도의 세계적 금융위기와 이후 이어진 경제발전 둔화는 금융규제와 더불어 주요 파이낸싱의 원천인 상업은행들의 원전 프로젝트에 대한 의욕을 상실케 했다. 반면 원자력 발전의 경제성은 환경적 이득 측면과 비용측면에서 타 전원대비 유리하다는 것을 보여준다. 그리고 기술발전과 강화된 안전관련검사 및 모니터링은 원전의 안전성에 대한 의구심을 많이 완화시켰다. 따라서 원전 시장의 향후 확산에 대한 전망은 상이한 가정별로 비교적 큰 차이가 있지만 긍정적인 편이다. 2009년 12월 한국전력이 UAE원전을 수주하면서부터 원전시장에서의 경쟁은 큰 변화를 겪고 있다. 많은 경쟁자들이 정부의 지원을 등에 업고 새로운 원전 프로젝트를 수주하기 위해 공격적이고 새로운 파이낸싱 패키지를 가지고 시장에 진출하고 있다. 본 논문은 신규원전 시장의 전망, 원전의 상대적 경쟁력, 리스크 관리방안, 파이낸싱의 과제들을 분석하고 신규원전 수주 경쟁력 제고를 위한 대안들을 제시하고자 한다.

Power to the people or regulatory ratcheting? Explaining the success (or failure) of attempts to site commercial US nuclear power plants: 1954-1996

Between 1954 and 1996, more than 200 nuclear power projects were publicly announced in the USA. Barely half of these projects were completed and generated power commercially. Existing research has highlighted a number of potential explanations for the varying siting outcomes of these projects, including contentious political protests, socioeconomic and political conditions within potential host communities, regulatory changes (‘ratcheting’), and cost overruns. However, questions remain about which of these factors, if any, had an impact on these outcomes. This article uses a new data set of 228 host communities where siting was attempted to illuminate the factors that led projects towards either completion or cancelation. Controlling for factors highlighted by past studies, we find that regulatory, site- and reactor-specific factors predict the outcomes of attempts to site nuclear reactors over this time period. These findings have important implications in the post-Fukushima ‘nuclear renaissance’ era when many still hope to revitalize the nuclear industry in the USA. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Potential Problems of MBIR in Validating New-Generation Nuclear Power Facilities and its Experimental Possibilities

Potential problems of the MBIR multipurpose, research, fast reactor, currently under construction, in the validation of new nuclear-power projects with fast reactors and a closed nuclear fuel cycle are discussed. The basic characteristics and experimental possibilities of the reactor are described. Considerable attention is given to the primary directions of research on nuclear safety, reactor and structural materials science, and NFC closure. Proposals for the development of an MBIR-based international research center are given.

Cover Picture: Uranium from German Nuclear Power Projects of the 1940s— A Nuclear Forensic Investigation (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 45/2015)

Cover Picture: Uranium from German Nuclear Power Projects of the 1940s— A Nuclear Forensic Investigation (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 45/2015)

Uranium from German Nuclear Power Projects of the 1940s--A Nuclear Forensic Investigation.

Here we present a nuclear forensic study of uranium from German nuclear projects which used different geometries of metallic uranium fuel.3b,d, 4 Through measurement of the 230Th/234U ratio, we could determine that the material had been produced in the period from 1940 to 1943. To determine the geographical origin of the uranium, the rare-earth-element content and the 87Sr/86Sr ratio were measured. The results provide evidence that the uranium was mined in the Czech Republic. Trace amounts of 236U and 239Pu were detected at the level of their natural abundance, which indicates that the uranium fuel was not exposed to any major neutron fluence.

Concept Selection of NPP Construction Delay Risk Assessment Methodology Using Systems Engineering Approach

Construction industry faces a lot of inherent uncertainties and issues and the construction phase of nuclear power project is not free from this risk. This paper investigates promising methodologies to be used on nuclear power plant (NPP) construction schedule delay risk assessment by using entry level systems engineering approach. This study contains how the initial concept for the risk assessment methodology has been developed. In this point of view, this work structured on three main phases: needs analysis (NA), concept exploration (CE), and concept definition (CD) through systems engineering (SE) approach. Traditionally, the SE process is applied to technical development programs but this study opens up a new avenue that SE can also be successfully applied to the development and optimization of the risk assessment model. This study provides a rational and systematic process for developing and selecting the best risk assessment model. This paper selects analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method to assess NPP construction schedule delay risk for international project. As conclusion, the proposed concept and selected method can discriminate successfully and clearly among schedule delay risk assessment methods.

English

A detailed Euphorbiaceae flora study was carried out from 30 km radius of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project area. The survey was conducted from September 2012 to August 2013. A total of 32 species under 12 genera belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae were collected and identified. For each species, botanical name, local name, life-form, habitat and flowering season were mentioned. A statistical summary is presented at the end of the checklist. The area shows a high diversity in its terrestrial flora and has an important role in the conservation of biodiversity of the region. Key words: Euphorbiaceae, life-form, conservation, Nuclear Power Project, Kudankulam.