Periodic Reporting for period 1 - APIS (Accelerated Program for Implementation of secure VVER fuel Supply)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2023-01-01 do 2024-06-30
The project Accelerated Program for Implementation of secure VVER fuel Supply will create security of supply of nuclear fuel for Russian designed pressurized water reactors (VVER) operating in the EU and Ukraine by diversification of fuel sources in full compliance with nuclear safety. The project will reinforce the European capabilities for nuclear fuel supply for reactors of VVER-440 design and expedite the process of strengthening such capabilities. The constitution of the consortium creates a strong cooperation between countries with experience of adaptation of fuel type and countries starting their journey towards nuclear fuel diversification. Due to the situation in Ukraine and the fast transition from Russian to Western fuel design, work must be accelerated to be able to handle the situation that has arisen. The western design of fuel is hence introduced stepwise: emergent VVER-440 fuel designs for European energy security for delivery to Ukrainian power plant in year 2023, followed by a fuel design with improved economics for operation in all European plants without restrictions, and lastly next generation of fuel design. For an efficient licensing, a harmonized approach for VVER fuel licensing is required, for which cooperation between regulators, nuclear power plants and fuel supplier is necessary. This project will facilitate this cooperation. Re-establishment of manufacturing capability and licensing analyses capabilities with reliable methods and codes will also be addressed. The lifetime of the VVER plants within the European Union and Ukraine is very import to secure future energy supplies. The project will investigate how to operate the nuclear power plant for increased safety and prolongation of the life time of the VVER plants. This includes fuel inspection capabilities.
The main achievement for the project “Accelerated Program for Implementation of secure VVER fuel Supply” is the created security of supply of nuclear fuel for Russian designed pressurized water reactors (VVER) operating in the EU and Ukraine by the design and licensing of VVER-440 fuel. European capabilities for nuclear fuel supply for reactors of VVER-440 design has been re-instated. The manufacturing capacity at Westinghouse Sweden fuel factory is proven by the production of two reloads for Rivne Nuclear Power Plant. Rivne Nuclear Power Plant unit 1 and 2 currently operate with fuel manufactured in Sweden. Increased manufacturing capacity within the European Union, also creating redundancy, is underway as re-installment of manufacturing capacity in Spain is successfully proceeding.
Work performed include activities for fuel supply, including prototyping, testing, and demonstrating the fuel design in full compliance with safety standards. Development of necessary codes and methods to support licensing and verification of the safe operation of the fuel has been an integral part. Work to support regulatory standardisation framework for licensing as well as means to prolong the lifetime of VVER-reactors are under progress.
Work performed include activities for fuel supply, including prototyping, testing, and demonstrating the fuel design in full compliance with safety standards. Development of necessary codes and methods to support licensing and verification of the safe operation of the fuel has been an integral part. Work to support regulatory standardisation framework for licensing as well as means to prolong the lifetime of VVER-reactors are under progress.
The project has contributed to European vendors being successful in assuring the supply of highly reliable fuel for the uninterrupted, safe operation of VVER-440 and VVER-1000 reactors operation in Europe.