European Pressurized Reactor
1636371
225662576
2008-07-14T20:05:23Z
Okto8
251039
/* Flamanville 3 (second unit) */ Fixed SI units.
[[Image:EPR OLK3 lage.jpg|thumb|Computer generated view of an '''EPR''' power plant]]
The '''EPR''' (or '''US-EPR''' for the United States specific design) is a [[generation III reactor|third generation]] [[pressurized water reactor]] (PWR) design. It has been designed and developed mainly by [[Framatome]] (now [[Areva|Areva NP]]) and [[Electricité de France]] (EDF) in [[France]], and [[Siemens AG]] in [[Germany]]. This reactor design was first called '''European Pressurized Reactor''', and for a time given the internationalized name '''Evolutionary Power Reactor''', but is now simply named '''EPR''' by Areva.
As of 2007, two EPR units were under construction, one each in [[Finland]] and France. Two additional units were planned as part of [[China]]'s tenth economic plan, to start construction in 2009. In July 2008 the French President announced a second EPR would be built in France due to high oil and gas prices.<ref>{{citation|title=Second new reactor for France|publisher=World Nuclear News|date=3 July 2008|url=http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN_Second_new_reactor_for_France_0307082.html|accessdate=2008-07-03}}</ref> A site for this is to be chosen in 2009 and construction should start in 2011.
==Design==
The main design objectives of the EPR design are increased safety while providing enhanced economic competitiveness through evolutionary improvements to previous PWR designs scaled up to an electrical power output of 1.6 [[GWe]]. The reactor can use [[enriched uranium|5% enriched uranium oxide]] fuel, optionally with up to 50% [[MOX fuel|mixed uranium plutonium oxide]] fuel.<ref name=UK-EPR-safety>{{citation |url=http://www.epr-reactor.co.uk/scripts/ssmod/publigen/content/templates/show.asp?P=139&L=EN |title=UK EPR Safety, Security and Environmental Report - submission to UK Health and Safety Executive |date=2007|publisher=Areva NP and EDF|accessdate=2008-04-16}}</ref> The EPR is the evolutionary descendant of the [[Framatome]] N4 and [[Siemens AG|Siemens Power Generation Division]] KONVOI reactors.<ref name=EPR-brochure>{{citation |url=http://www.areva-np.com/common/liblocal/docs/Brochure/EPR_US_%20May%202005.pdf |title=EPR - Areva brochure|publisher=Areva NP|date=May 2005 |accessdate=2008-01-02}}</ref>
The EPR design has several active and passive protection measures against accidents:
* Four independent emergency cooling systems, each capable of cooling down the reactor after shutdown (ie. 300% redundancy).
* Leaktight containment around the reactor.
* An extra container and cooling area if a molten core manages to escape the reactor (see [[containment building]]).
* Two-layer concrete wall with total thickness 2.6 meters, designed to withstand impact by aeroplanes and internal overpressure.
The EPR has a design maximum [[core damage frequency]] of 6.1 × 10<sup>–7</sup> per plant per year.<ref> ''[http://www.epr-reactor.co.uk/ssmod/liblocal/docs/V3/Volume%202%20-%20Design%20and%20Safety/2.R%20-%20Probabilistic%20Safety%20Assessment/2.R.1%20-%20Level%201%20Probabilistic%20Safety%20Assessment%20-%20v2.pdf EPR Level 1 Probabilistic Safety Assessment]''. Author: UK EPR.</ref>
==Pilot power plant==
The [[Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plant|Olkiluoto]] 3<ref>[http://www.ol3.areva-np.com/ OLKILUOTO 3 PROJECT by AREVA]</ref> power plant in Finland, initially scheduled to go online in [[2009]],<ref> [http://www.ol3.areva-np.com/project/chrono.htm CHRONOLOGY OF OLKILUOTO 3 PROJECT by AREVA]</ref>, will be the first EPR reactor built. The construction will be a joint effort of French [[Areva]] and German [[Siemens AG]] through their common subsidiary Areva NP, for Finnish operator [[Teollisuuden Voima|TVO]]. The power plant will cost about [[Euro|€]] 3.7 billion.<ref> [http://www.de.framatome-anp.com/anp/e/foa/anp/press/anp054.htm EPR IN FINLAND: FOUNDATION STONE-LAYING DAY AT OLKILUOTO 3 by AREVA]</ref>
===Progress===
In May 2006 construction delays of about one year were announced, following quality control problems across the construction. In part the delays were due to the lack of oversight of subcontractors inexperienced in nuclear construction.<ref> [http://www.neimagazine.com/story.asp?sectionCode=132&storyCode=2037524 Regulator reports as OL3 delays reach one year, 19 July 2006, by ''Nuclear Engineering International'']. </ref><ref> [http://www.neimagazine.com/story.asp?storyCode=2036021 Concrete composition delays Finland's Olkiluoto 3], ''Nuclear Engineering International'', 9 May 2006.</ref> The delays led to disappointing financial results for the Areva NP. It blamed delays on the Finnish approach to approving technical documentation and designs.<ref>
[http://www.neimagazine.com/story.asp?sectioncode=132&storyCode=2039298 Areva’s first half results hit by Olkiluoto 3 delays, 2 October 2006, by ''Nuclear Engineering International'']. </ref><ref> [http://www.largeassociates.com/3149%20Olkiluoto/R3149-A1%20Final%20Issue.pdf European Pressurised Reactor at Olkiluoto 3, Finland - Brief & Interim Review of the Porosity and Durability Properties of the In Situ Cast Concrete at the Olkiluoto EPR Construction Site, June 2006, Large & Associates]. </ref>
In December 2006 TVO announced construction was about 18 months behind schedule so completion was now expected 2010–11, and there were reports that Areva was preparing to take a [[Euro|€]] 500 million charge on its accounts for the delay.<ref> [http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.aspx?Feed=AP&Date=20061204&ID=6245665 Finland nuclear reactor delayed again], Associated Press, 4 December 2006. </ref><ref>
[http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/afx/2006/12/05/afx3228309.html Areva to take 500 mln eur charge for Finnish reactor delay], ''[[Forbes]]'', 5 December 2006.</ref>
At the end of June 2007 it was reported that [[STUK|Säteilyturvakeskus]], the Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, had found a number of safety-related design and manufacturing 'deficiencies'.<ref> [http://www.newscientisttech.com/channel/tech/mg19426103.200-nuclear-industry-revival-hits-roadblocks.html Nuclear industry revival hits roadblocks], ''[[New Scientist]]'', published 2007-06-29, accessed 2007-07-05.</ref> In August 2007 a further construction delay of up to a year was reported associated with construction problems in reinforcing the reactor building to withstand an airplane crash, and the timely supply of adequate documentation to the Finnish authorities.<ref> [http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/newNuclear/Dates_revised_again_for_Olkiluoto_3_100807.shtml Dates revised again for Olkiluoto 3], ''World Nuclear News'', 10 August 2007.</ref><ref> [http://www.huliq.com/30247/nuclear-industrys-flagship-plant-delayed-again Nuclear industry's flagship plant delayed again], Huliq, [[2007-08-11]].</ref><ref> [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20215943/ Areva delay threatens China contract], [[MSNBC]], 10 August 2007.</ref>
In September 2007 TVO reported the construction delay as "at least two years" and costs more than 25% over budget.<ref> {{cite news |url=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aFh1ySJ.lYQc |title=Nuclear Bid to Rival Coal Chilled by Flaws, Delay in Finland |author=Alan Katz |publisher=[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]] |date=2007-09-05|accessdate=2008-06-17}}</ref> Cost estimates by analysts for the over-run range up to [[Euro|€]] 1.5 billion.<ref> [http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/newstex/AFX-0013-21958415.htm Areva-Siemens sees Olkiluoto 3 reactor operational in summer 2011], [[CNN]], 31 December 2007.</ref>
==Flamanville 3 (second unit)==
{{see also|Nuclear power in France}}
First concrete was poured for the demonstration EPR reactor at the [[Flamanville Nuclear Power Plant]] on [[December 6]], [[2007]].<ref> ''Nuclear Engineering International''. [http://www.neimagazine.com/story.asp?sectionCode=132&storyCode=2048041 Flamanville 3 concrete poured].</ref> This will be the third unit on the site and the second EPR ever constructed. Electrical output will be 1.6 GWe and it is projected to cost 3.3 billion Euros.<ref name=EDF>EDF Official Site - Flamanville 3 [http://www.edf.fr/html/epr/uk/projet.html]</ref> The following is a condensed timeline for the unit:
*From [[October 19]], [[2005]] to [[February 18]], [[2006]] the project was submitted to a national public debate.
*On [[May 4]], [[2006]] the decision was made by EDF’s Board of Directors to continue with the construction.
*Between [[June 15]] and [[July 31]], [[2006]] the unit underwent a public enquiry, which rendered a "favorable opinion" on the project.<ref>{{cite web
| url= http://construction.ecnext.com/coms2/summary_0249-218321_ITM_platts
| title= Public inquiry commission favors plan to build Flamanville-3 EPR
|date= 05-OCT-06 |format=link to article |publisher= ''Nucleonics Week''
| accessdate= 2008-06-17 }} </ref>
*In Summer 2006 site preparation works began.
*In December 2007 construction of the unit itself began. This is expected to last 54 months.
*Final commissioning of the plant is planned for [[2012]].<ref name=EDF/>
===Protests===
*On [[March 17]], [[2007]] simultaneous protests were staged by [[Sortir du nucléaire (France)|Sortir du nucléaire]] in five French towns to protest construction of EPR plants; [[Rennes]], [[Lyon]], [[Toulouse]], [[Lille]], and [[Strasbourg]].<ref name=NEI>{{cite news
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| title =French protests over EPR
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| date =2007-04-03
| url =http://www.neimagazine.com/story.asp?sectionCode=132&storyCode=2043436
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| title =France hit by anti-nuclear protests
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| date =2007-04-03
| url =http://www.eveningecho.ie/news/bstory.asp?j=13919232&p=y39y9z78&n=13919320
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| title =Anti-nuclear rallies fill French cities
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| date =2007-03-17
| url =http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FRANCE_NUCLEAR_PROTESTS?SITE=COBOU&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
| accessdate =2007-04-10 }}</ref>
*On [[April 26]], [[2007]] (the 21st anniversary of the [[Chernobyl disaster]]) around 30 protesters blocked entrances and chained themselves to cranes at the EPR site in [[Flamanville, Manche|Flamanville]], some remaining on the site for 24 hours. A truck was also parked in front of the entrance to block its access.<ref name=NEI2>{{cite news
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| title =Greenpeace assault on EPR
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| publisher =''Nuclear Engineering International''
| date =2007-05-01
| url =http://www.neimagazine.com/story.asp?sectionCode=132&storyCode=2044039
| accessdate =2007-05-16 }}</ref>
===Progress===
In April 2008 the French nuclear safety agency (''Autorité de sûreté nucléaire'', ASN) reported that a quarter of the welds inspected in the secondary containment steel liner are not in accordance with norms, and that cracks have been found in the concrete base. EDF stated that progress is being made on these issues raised very early in construction,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/defects-found-in-nuclear-reactor-the-french-want-to-build-in-britain-808461.html |title=Defects found in nuclear reactor the French want to build in Britain |author=Geoffrey Lean and Jonathan Owen |date=2008-04-13 |publisher=[[The Independent]] |accessdate=2004-04-19}}</ref> however on 21 May ASN ordered a suspension of concrete pouring on the site.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSL2762459720080527|title=French nuke body partly halts work on new reactor|date=2008-05-27|publisher=[[Reuters]]|accessdate=2008-05-27}}</ref> A month later concreting work resumed after ASN accepted EDF's corrective action plan which included external oversight checks.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS_EdF_allowed_to_continue_concreting_2006081.html|title= EdF allowed to continue concreting|date=2008-06-20|publisher=World Nuclear News|accessdate=2008-06-21}}</ref>
==Future power plants==
===Abu Dhabi===
{{seealso|Nuclear power in the United Arab Emirates}}
In January 2008, French president [[Nicolas Sarkozy]] signed a deal that will allow two EPR units to be constructed in Abu Dhabi by Total, Suez and Areva. This will be the first entry of Total in the field of nuclear energy.<ref> [http://www.guardian.co.uk/feedarticle?id=7221714 Sarkozy confirms plans for UAE nuclear deal-paper] - Lin Noueihed - ''[[The Guardian]]'' January 13 2008. </ref>
===China===
{{seealso|Nuclear power in China}}
In 2006, there was a bidding in process to build four new EPR reactors in [[PRC|China]],<ref> [http://english.people.com.cn/200409/12/eng20040912_156691.html Foreign energy giants bid for China's nuclear contracts, September 12, 2004, People's Daily Online]</ref> and an intent to market EPRs in the [[United States]] with [[Constellation Energy]].<ref> [http://www.unistarnuclear.com/09-05release.html Unistar Nuclear, September 15, 2005]</ref> In April of 2006, Areva SA lost this bid in favor [[Westinghouse Electric Company]] to build four [[AP1000]] reactors, because of its refusal to transfer the expertise and knowledge to China.
Nevertheless in February 2007 Areva won [[Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant|another deal]], worth about [[Euro|€]] 5 billion, for two other nuclear reactors located in [[Guangdong]], in southern China in spite of sticking to its previous conditions.<ref> {{cite news |url=http://www.forbes.com/business/feeds/afx/2007/07/30/afx3965097.html |title=Signing of Areva EPR order in China delayed - French source |date=2007-07-30 |publisher=''[[Forbes]]'' |accessdate=2007-08-01}}</ref> The local partner for this project is [http://www.cgnpc.com.cn/n1093/n463576/n463598/ China Guangdong Nuclear Power Co.]
In November 2007, French president [[Nicolas Sarkozy]] signed a $12 billion deal that will allow the third and fourth EPR units to be constructed in China.<ref> ''Nuclear Engineering International''. [http://www.neimagazine.com/story.asp?sectionCode=132&storyCode=2047971 Record-breaking deal for Areva/China Guangdong].</ref>
===United Kingdom===
{{see also|Nuclear power in the United Kingdom}}
EDF said it will propose, in partnership with Areva, its EPR model of nuclear reactors to the UK government.<ref>{{cite news
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| title =RPT EDF says will propose EPR nuclear reactors to UK in partnership with Areva
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| publisher =[[Forbes|Forbes.com]]
| date =2007-05-23
| url = http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2007/05/23/afx3750492.html
| accessdate =2007-05-23 }}</ref>
===United States===
{{seealso|Nuclear power in the United States}}
The US-EPR is one of the major competitors for the next generation of nuclear plants in the United States, along with the [[AP1000]] and the [[ESBWR]]. It is currently in the Design Certification Application Review process at the U.S. [[Nuclear Regulatory Commission]] (NRC), with expectation to submit an application for final design approval and standard design certification on December 14, 2007.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/new-licensing/design-cert/epr.html|title=Design Certification Application Review – U.S. EPR|publisher=[[Nuclear Regulatory Commission]]|accessdate=2008-07-03}}</ref> [[UniStar]], [[Amarillo Power]], and [[AmerenUE]] have announced plans to file a [[Combined Construction and Operating License]] application in 2008 for the US-EPR. Unistar filed a partial application in July 2007 for a proposed third unit at the [[Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant]] in Maryland. Both UniStar and Amarillo Power have expressed interest in building two reactors while AmerenUE announced plans for just one.<ref>[[Uranium Information Centre]]. [http://www.uic.com.au/nip58.htm Nuclear power in the USA].</ref>
==See also==
{{EnergyPortal}}
*[[Economics of new nuclear power plants]]
*[[Nuclear power by country]]
*[[Generation III reactor]]
*Other Gen III designs
**[[AP1000]]
**[[ESBWR]]
**[[ABWR]]
**[[Advanced Pressurized Water Reactor|US-APWR]]
**[[Advanced CANDU Reactor|ACR]]
==External links==
*[http://www.areva.com Areva]
*[http://www.areva-np.com/scripts/info/publigen/content/templates/show.asp?P=1655&L=US&SYNC=Y Official EPR webpage]
*[http://www.areva-np.com/common/liblocal/docs/Brochure/EPR_US_%20May%202005.pdf The EPR - Areva brochure]
*[http://www.internationalistreview.com/article.php?id=17 Dossier by the e-journal Internationalist Review about the future EPR site in Cherbourg, France] in French
*[http://www.largeassociates.com/R3123-a2%20final%20Issue.pdf European Pressurised Reactor at Olkiluoto 3, Finland], Large & Associates (Consulting Engineers) for [[Greenpeace]]
*[http://www.greenpeace.org/raw/content/international/press/reports/assessment-of-the-operational.pdf Operational risks and hazards of the EPR when subject to aircraft crash], Large & Associates (Consulting Engineers) for [[Greenpeace]]
*[http://www.largeassociates.com/3149%20Olkiluoto/R3149-A1%20Final%20Issue.pdf European Pressurised Reactor at Olkiluoto 3, Finland - Brief & Interim Review of the Porosity and Durability Properties of the In Situ Cast Concrete at the Olkiluoto EPR Construction Site, June 2006. Large & Associates (Consulting Engineers)]
==Bibliography==
*[http://www.info-france-usa.org/intheus/nuclear/n2f2/Fall2004.asp NUCLEAR NOTES FROM FRANCE Fall 2004, Embassy of France in the US]
*[http://www.largeassociates.com/3155%20Jersey/3155-R1%20-%20Draft%2031%20July%202006.pdf Large John H, Exploratory Review of the EdF Presentation in Support of the Proposal to Construct, Commission and Operate a 3rd Nuclear Power Plant at Flamanville, France, States of Jersey, August 2006]
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Nuclear power reactor types]]
[[Category:Nuclear energy in the United States]]
[[Category:Pressurized water reactors]]
[[da:European Pressurized Reactor]]
[[de:Europäischer Druckwasserreaktor]]
[[es:EPR (European Pressurised Water Reactor)]]
[[fr:Réacteur pressurisé européen]]
[[it:Reattore nucleare europeo ad acqua pressurizzata]]
[[nl:European Pressurized Reactor]]
[[pl:Europejski Reaktor Ciśnieniowy]]
[[fi:European Pressurized Water Reactor]]
[[sv:EPR (reaktor)]]