Development of Next Generation PWR in Japan

The demand for energy in Japan is expected to increase steadily into the future, and it seems that the importance of nuclear power generation will be heightened more when the situation of our country which is not rich in energy resources is taken into account. Furthermore, when we consider the present situation that the Light water reactors have become common, recent outlook for the supply and demand for uranium resources, trends in the development of the fast breeder reactor technology, etc., the light water reactors are expected to remain dominant in the nuclear power generation of our country until at least the second half of the 21st century. Based on such a background five PWR utilities in Japan (Hokkaido, Kansai, Shikoku, Kyushu, and the Japan Atomic Power), and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. have jointly started researching the Next Generation PWR which is expected to be the leading nuclear power plant taking place of APWR. In this program, the 1500 MWe class plant concept is investigated and a plant concept which has innovative features of a hybrid safety systems, i.e. an optimum combination of active and passive safety systems, and horizontal steam generators for core cooling at the accidents is developed as a candidate (published by T. Magari, 1996).([1]) The plant concept, the results of analyses which were performed to confirm its feasibility and features, and new technology incorporated in it are presented in this paper. (C) 1997 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.