Futurist Update May 2003
News and Previews from the World Future Society
Nuclear Power: Peak or Plateau?
It is a worldwide view we all seek. The opinion provided by the U.S. DOE, which was the source of your section on Nuclear Power, reflected only the U.S. situation. The information below was provided by the International Atomic Energy Agency and leads one to a different view of the world future.The information below leads one to a view that nuclear power is a mature routine part of the world energy supply. The six new plants completed and seven started construction in 2002 represent about a 1.5% increase in nuclear power, which is about the increase in the total world electric power industry.
William M. Murphey
Mineral VA
Murphey2nd@aol.comLATEST NEWS RELATED TO PRIS AND THE STATUS OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
The information in the PRIS data bank on status of nuclear power plants is currently being updated to reflect the status as of 31 December 2002. Operating experience with NPP is updated for the year 2001.Latest 2003 News
In Czech Republic, Temelin 2 was connected to electricity grid on 29 December 2002.
In Bulgaria, Kozloduy 1 and 2 NPP were definitively shutdown on 31 December 2002.
In China, three nuclear power plants started commercial operation in 2002: Quinshan 2-1 in April ,Lingao 1 in May and Quinshan 3-1 in December. One nuclear power plant, Lingao 2 started commercial operation in January 2003.
In Republic of Korea, one nuclear power plant was connected to the grid in 2002: Yonggwang 6 in September.
In France, two nuclear power plants started commercial operation in the first half of 2002: Civaux 1 in January and Civaux 2 in April.
Finland made the first decision to build a nuclear power plant in Western Europe in more than 10 years.
The Finnish Parliament voted in favour of building the country's fifth nuclear power unit considering that this is 'in the overall interest of society.' According to Finnish government, "this positive nuclear power decision will facilitate the achievement of the national climate objectives in Finland during the first commitment period 2008 to 2012 of the Kyoto protocol and especially during the subsequent commitment periods with even stricter emission limitations." 2001 Operating Experience
The average Unit Capability Factor (UCF) for worldwide nuclear power plant increased to 85% in 2001. The Unit Capability Factor has continuously increased since late 1980s.
In 2001, the capacity factor for all 104 operable nuclear power plants reactors in the USA is 89.7. If only the 103 operating reactors are considered (the Browns Ferry 1 reactor has not operated for many years but still maintains the operating license) the capacity factor would be 90.7. A new record of the American nuclear industry.
Status of nuclear power plants worldwide in March 2003
There were 441 nuclear power plants in operation with a total net installed capacity of 359 GW(e) and 33 nuclear power plants under construction. Six new nuclear power plants were connected to the electricity grid in 2002:
Qinshan 2-1, a 610 MW(e) PWR in China
Qinshan 3-1, a 655 MW(e) PHWR in China
Lingao 1, a 938 MW(e) PWR in China
Lingao 2, a 938 MW(e) PWR in China
Temelin 2, a 912 MW(e) WWER in Czech Republic
Yonggwang 6, a 950 MW(e) PWR in Republic of KoreaConstruction started in seven plants:
Kaiga 3, a 202 MW(e) PHWR in India
Kaiga 4, a 202 MW(e) PHWR in India
Rajasthan 5, a 202 MW(e) PHWR in India
Rajasthan 6, a 202 MW(e) PHWR in India
Kudankulam 1, a 905 MW(e) WWER in India
Kudankulam 2, a 905 MW(e) WWER in India
LWR - Project Unit 1, a 1040 MW(e) PWR in Dem. P. R. KoreaPlease note that the IAEA PRIS reports net electrical capacity.
SOURCE: Power Reactor Information System, http://www.iaea.or.at/programmes/a2/Your comments are welcome: