US approves Gen III+ reactors


Recommended Posts

The NRC has unanimously approved the AP1000 Gen III+ reactor (Westinghouse) for production.

The design is good for?1,154 MWe and is much simpler than previous designs. It also is cheaper, has a passive safety system (no human input required), uses a smaller land footprint and much less reinforced concrete. The Wiki article says that as of a year ago 14 AP1000 applications had been made in the US. The DailyTech article (and other) report says construction should start within weeks.

Some media reports say the first ones should come online within 4-5 years.

http://pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML1135/ML113560141.pdf

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/AP1000

http://www.dailytech.com/US+is+Only+3+Years+Behind+China+in+Nuclear+Reactors+Courtesy+of+New+Approval/article23588.htm

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For starters two each at;

Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant in North Carolina,

William States Lee III Nuclear Generating Station in South Carolina,

Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Generating Station in South Carolina.

Vogtle Electric Generating Plant in Georgia.

Levy County Nuclear Power Plant in Florida,

Turkey Point Nuclear Generating Station in Florida

Bellefonte Nuclear Generating Station in Alabama.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice, I'm happy these developments. Nuclear energy is a great way to provide lots of power at low cost until renewable sources are affordable.

I wonder if there are any planned developments like this in the UK...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Because thorium cycle reactors aren't ready for NRC certification yet. Personally, I'd be happy as Hell if a single-fluid liquid salt thorium reactor design were approved, but Kirk Sorensen's (former NASA guy) Flibe Energy just started this year. The US is really behind Japan (Fuji) and China as regards this.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just got the updated list from the Westinghouse AP1000 site.

Looks like Turkey Point, Florida dropped off.

http://ap1000.westin....com/index.html

http://ap1000.westin....com/icmap.html

Harris, North Carolina - Progress Energy

Summer, South Carolina - SCANA

Lee Station, South Carolina - Duke Energy

Vogtle, Georgia - Southern Nuclear

Bellefonte, Georgia - TVA

Levi County, Florida - Progress Energy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For starters two each at;

Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant in North Carolina,

Heck yea! Right by my house. Honestly i'm fine with having it. Latest gen, highest efficiency, highest saftey failsafes.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

nuke power is one of humanity's greatest achievements, hating it is hating ourselves and is just stupid. this is good news. i eagerly await my matter-anti matter reactors, Doc :woot:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.