TECHNICAL MEETING FLEXIBLE (NON-BASELOAD) OPERATION APPROACHES FOR NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS. Paris, France INFORMATION SHEET

Transcription

1 621-I2-TM TECHNICAL MEETING ON FLEXIBLE (NON-BASELOAD) OPERATION APPROACHES FOR NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS Paris, France 4 6 September 2013 INFORMATION SHEET

2 1. BACKGROUND The majority of existing nuclear power plants (NPPs) are optimized to operate at steady full power, known as baseload operation, i.e. operation at steady full load as far as possible, and only reducing output or shutting down when required for refuelling or maintenance, or because of plant operational problems or safety constraints. Where NPPs are operated in baseload mode, other generating units (such as hydroelectric, coal- or gas-fired) operate flexibly to balance generation and demand. However, in several Member States the nuclear units are operated flexibly and there is an increasing interest in such an option in other Member States. Flexible operation is any change from baseload operation and includes load following, frequency control, and other actions to change the output of the nuclear unit. Although more beneficial economics and lesser complexity of operation currently make the baseload mode of operation preferable in the view of operating organizations and regulatory bodies, there may be an increasing need in the future for NPPs to operate in flexible modes, i.e. load following, frequency response, or abrupt changes to output upon requests from grid operators. This will be mainly due to one, or a combination, of the following factors resulting from the changes to the structure of electricity supply systems and the electricity market during the long operating lifetime of an NPP: Large or growing percentage of the nuclear generating capacity: It is necessary for the nuclear units to operate flexibly, particularly at times of low demand. Growth in generating capacity of renewable generation: Renewable energy sources have variable output with limited predictability and relatively limited controllability in comparison to conventional generating units. There is also a growth in the number of other small generating units that are intermittent and not readily controllable. This causes an increasing need to operate nuclear units flexibly to assist in balancing generation with demand. Deregulation of the public electricity supply system: The technical or commercial rules in the deregulated market may require all generating units to be treated similarly, and hence require all generating units to have the capability to operate flexibly. This requirement for capability may apply even if there is rarely a need for the nuclear units to operate flexibly. Overcapacity of newly built NPPs: Although embarking countries future demand can be higher, the forecasted minimum demand at the time of first grid connection may be much lower than the full capacity of those plants. This becomes even more significant when the grid capacity and energy distribution are limited. The new NPPs have an advantage in that the original design of not only the nuclear steam supply system (NSSS) but also the balance of plant systems, including the control systems, are designed with flexible operation in mind. New NSSS designs incorporate higher flexibility capabilities. However, these systems have to be validated during initial start-up testing and any limitations should be determined at the beginning of operations. Additionally, the safety analysis for licensing would have to be developed to support flexible operation and limiting conditions for operation have to be determined. An NPP that previously has operated in a baseload mode of operation only, and is now considering (e.g. because of market deregulation), or is required (e.g. because of new grid regulation) to switch to, flexible operation, faces a more complicated situation. Depending on the NPP design, modifications to the plant, particularly to the control systems, may be required to support frequency control and load following operations. Also, adaptation of the safety analyses and licensing basis changes may be required. Similarly, existing operation and maintenance philosophies and procedures may need adjustment to support flexible operation. 2

3 A draft report entitled Needs and Challenges for Non-Baseload Operations in Nuclear Power Plants: A Study of Load-Follow and Frequency Response, to be published as part of the IAEA Nuclear Energy Series, is being developed to provide information on the requirements for, and limitations of, flexible operation of NPPs. Member States that are planning to adopt flexible operation (either through new purchases or conversion of existing plants) should benefit from the specific guidance provided in this report as to the selection criteria that need to be considered, the steps to take during the feasibility study and decision processes, and the operational experience that is available during the planning, design, licensing, and operation phases, as well as related economic and portfolio aspects. 2. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES The overall purpose of the meeting is to establish a common understanding of all the relevant aspects of the flexible operation of NPPs, and to introduce a draft guideline document for related decision making and implementation (either through new designs or the conversion of existing plants) based on the current knowledge and operational experience in Member States. The objectives of this meeting are to provide the participating Member States with the knowledge on the rationale and challenges involved in such operations to make an informed decision and prepare remedial actions in anticipation of future needs for non-baseload operation. Specifically: Definition of flexible operation; The reasons for flexible operation; Challenges in the flexible operation of NPPs and their solutions; and Operating experience related to flexible operation. It is noted that this meeting is not intended to endorse or to invalidate the non-baseload mode of operation. 3. PARTICIPATION The meeting is targeted at nuclear industry professionals and electricity grid specialists including operators, designers, vendors, regulators, and researchers from Member States with established nuclear power generation programmes and operating NPPs, as well as from non-governmental or international organizations that represent these programmes and facilities, regionally or worldwide. Participants should be knowledgeable and experienced in industry-wide NPP and/or electricity grid design and operation practices, rules and regulations, and their implementation. They should be capable of describing and discussing in detail, their knowledge and experience related to the flexible operation of NPPs. The participants will be asked to give presentations on these topics in order to fulfil the meeting s objectives. It is possible that the meeting may have to be restricted to one participant per country. 4. TOPICS TO BE COVERED The meeting will cover topics related to the areas of design, economics, efficient and reliable operation, instrumentation and control, fuel and reactivity management, as well as the impacts on ageing of plant systems, structures and components. As such, the meeting will focus on the following points: Types of flexible operation, and their fundamental rationale Decision making for newcomer and established nuclear programmes: Identifications of stakeholders 3

4 Identification of needs and challenges Roadmap for feasibility assessment Decision making factors and steps Technologies for flexible operation in the current and new design of reactors Regulatory aspects (safety assessment, licensing, margin, oversight) Functional considerations Design features and safety/operational margin management and strategies Operational considerations and strategies Economic considerations and strategies Application of operational experience during implementation 5. WORKING LANGUAGE The meeting will be conducted in English. No interpretation will be provided. 6. TARGET AUDIENCE The meeting is targeted at representatives of Member States with established and expanding nuclear power programmes that are implementing and/or considering the implementation of flexible operation of NPPs. Prospective participants should be nuclear industry and electricity grid system operators, designers, vendors, regulators, energy portfolio planners, and researchers from such Member States. 7. ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS Designating Governments will be informed in due course of the names of the selected candidates and will at that time be given full details on the procedures to be followed with regard to administrative and financial matters. No registration fee is charged to participants. The costs of the meeting, including the meeting facilities and logistic support, are borne by the IAEA. Travel and subsistence expenses of participants will not be borne by the IAEA. Limited funds are available to help cover the cost of attendance of certain participants. Such assistance can be offered upon specific request to normally one participant per country provided that, in the IAEA s view, the participant on whose behalf assistance is requested will make an important contribution to the meeting. The application for financial support should be made at the time of designating the participant. The organizers of the meeting do not accept liability for the payment of any cost or compensation that may arise from damage to or loss of personal property, or from illness, injury, disability or death of a participant while he/she is travelling to and from or attending the meeting, and it is clearly understood that each Government, in designating participants, undertakes responsibility for such coverage. Governments would be well advised to take out insurance against these risks. 8. APPLICATION PROCEDURE Designations should be submitted on the attached Participation Form. Completed forms should be endorsed by and returned through the established official channels. They must be received by the IAEA not later than 2 August Designations received after that date or applications sent directly by individuals or by private institutions cannot be considered. Designating 4

5 Governments will be informed in due course of the names of the selected candidates and at that time full details will be given on the procedures to be followed with regard to administrative and financial matters. For Member States receiving technical cooperation assistance, applications for financial support should be made at the time of designating the participant. 9. VISAS Designated participants will be required to enter France and should submit the necessary visa application to the nearest diplomatic or consular representative of France, as soon as possible. 10. LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS The meeting will be held at the Salons de l Aéro-Club de France, 6 rue Galilée, Paris, France, and will start on Wednesday, 4 September 2013 at 09:30 and end at 15:30 on Friday, 6 September Participants are kindly requested to arrive at the venue at least an hour before the meeting starts, to allow adequate time for registration. Participants should bring some form of personal identification, such as a national passport, in order to identify themselves to the security officers. 11. ORGANIZATION The Scientific Secretaries for the meeting are: Mr Arif Nesimi Kilic Nuclear Power Engineering Section Division of Nuclear Power Department of Nuclear Energy International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna International Centre PO Box VIENNA AUSTRIA Tel.: Fax: A.Kilic@iaea.org Mr Philippe Lebreton Électricité de France Power System and Transmission Engineering Centre Spallis, 2 rue Michel Faraday, SAINT-DENIS FRANCE Tel.: philippe.lebreton@edf.fr The Administrative Secretary for the meeting is: Ms Tin Ling LOI Nuclear Power Engineering Section Division of Nuclear Power Department of Nuclear Energy International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna International Centre PO Box VIENNA, AUSTRIA Tel.: Fax: T.Loi@iaea.org 5

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7 INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY (IAEA) Technical Meeting on Flexible (Non-Baseload) Operation Approaches for Nuclear Power Plants Paris, France 4 6 September 2013 PARTICIPATION FORM Please complete and send before 2 August 2013 through the competent official authority (Ministry of Foreign Affairs or National Atomic Energy Authority) with a reference to IAEA Meeting TM to: Surname: Mr Arif Nesimi Kilic Division of Nuclear Power Department of Nuclear Energy International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna International Centre PO Box VIENNA, AUSTRIA Tel.: Fax: A.Kilic@iaea.org Mr Philippe Lebreton Électricité de France Power System and Transmission Engineering Centre Spallis, 2 rue Michel Faraday SAINT-DENIS FRANCE Tel.: philippe.lebreton@edf.fr Given name: Mr/Ms: Title (position): Institution/Organization/Company: Country: Full address: Phone: Fax: 1: 2: I intend to deliver a presentation during a plenary session No Yes, with the following title: Include a brief description of the presentation (up to 50 words) I intend to demonstrate the following software product(s): Include for each product its full name and provide a brief explanation (up to 20 words) Date: