EDF s Nuclear Fleet Objectives and Challenges of an Industry Eric MAUCORT Deputy Director Nuclear Operations
TWh Nuclear energy: A French Choice France based its choice of nuclear energy after the two oil crises of 1973 and 1979 to control the costs of electricity and ensure its energy independence 600 500 400 Oil crises 1973 1979 Other REN 3% 300 200 Nuclear 75% 100 0 Fossil fuels Hydro* 12% 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 Source : RTE
Nuclear energy: a French choice A nuclear industry developed: EDF, CEA, AREVA, Alstom a fabric of small & medium size companies and industries today representing 240,000 jobs Nuclear energy is the 3rd largest French industrial sector EDF s nuclear power generation Fleet in France 18 plants, 58 reactors EDF is the largest nuclear operator in the world
Fukushima: Legitimate questions The causes of the accident A tsunami of a scope unforeseen when the plant was designed, A crisis organization that did not allow water and electricity to be restored within 24 hours to cool the damaged reactors Reactors that did not have the systems to avoid the explosion of hydrogen and limit releases in the environment The first lessons from the accident support the French options The importance of criteria taken into account in design (the origins of the accidents at Three Mile Island and Tchernobyl were operation-related) The operator is the only one responsible for safety: Advantage of the EDF operator/designer model Necessity for plants to regularly improve their design to incorporate: - experience feedback from accidents and incidents world-wide - progress in knowledge - changes in the environment and a desire to go even further.
Additional Safety Assessments Safety reassessments have been carried from the outset: Every 10 years and on experience feedback from incidents (storm of 99, 2003 heat wave, etc. and accidents (TMI etc.)) Additional Safety Assessments, a complementary approach: Assess the resistance of facilities beyond design basis Guarantee the maintenance of vital functions for several hours in extreme situations (total loss of water and power),. Then be able to route resources to the site to restore water and electricity After these additional safety assessments: EDF (Sept 2011) confirms the good safety level of facilities Certain modifications planned for a ten-year re-examination will be accelerated EDF proposes the implementation of further measures The ASN (Jan. 2012) considers that the facilities inspected show a sufficient level of safety. The ASN considers that their extended operation requires the reinforcement of their resistance in extreme situations, beyond the safety margins they already have, as quickly as possible. It has issued technical recommendations consistent with EDF s proposals with stringent lead times. The ENSREG (European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group) confirmed the quality of the assessments (April 2012), after peer reviews SFEN JG - 24-25 October 2012
A global reality: the need for energy 7 billion inhabitants on earth 20% do not have access to electricity 9 billion inhabitants in 2050. All forms of energy will be necessary in particular in emerging countries In the context of the economic crisis and global warming. A possible increase of 80% of electricity consumption beginning in 2035 and a risk of doubling CO2 emissions in 2050 (AIE 2011) Faced with the need for affordable, safe and low-carbon electricity, nuclear energy is part of the solution
In France, electricity is affordable Electricity in France 35% less expensive than in other European countries Nearly two times less expensive than in Germany 300 Tax-inclusive price in /MWh Private consumers (Eurostat) 200 70/M Wh 100 212/MWh average Euro zone - 17 countries 158 142 not including France 209 208 212 253 0 France U.K. - Spain Italy Belgium Germany
gco2/kwh, carbon-reduced, Thanks to nuclear and hydroelectric energy, CO2 emissions per kwh in France are the lowest in Europe, with Sweden, 5 times less than in Germany per kwh (and 2 times less per inhabitant all energies combined). 700 CO 2 emissions per kwh related to the production of electricity and heat 640 600 500 400 France Average for OECD Europe 386 430 450 300 299 200 100 90 218 0 France Belgium Belgique Espagne Spain Italie Italy Allemagne Germany Royaume-Uni U.K Pologne Poland Source : IEA CO 2 Highlights 2011, statistics cover both electricity and heat in light of the importance of co-generation in some countries.
and generates jobs In France, the nuclear industry provides 240,000 jobs* all over the country, including suppliers; 410,000 jobs* when indirect jobs are included; Even more thanks to the low price of electricity. 3rd largest industrial sector in France, comparable to the aeronautics industry (* Source PricewaterhouseCoopers, awaiting figures from the Nuclear Stream Strategic Committee)
A vision for production in France: Take advantage of the existing fleet and develop renewable energies Use the existing nuclear fleet Benefit from the industrial assets built up over 20 years and the corresponding jobs Benefit from a cost of electricity half as expensive as that of any new power generation resource Preserve France s leading position among low CO2-emission countries Remain protected from unpredictable international events Pursue energy saving measures and energy transfers.. By creating jobs: less electricity per use, more uses for carbon-reduced electricity Develop renewable energies including hydro-electric: Use the right energy at the right time and lower costs Build for the future Allow serene choices: New generation nuclear energy, photovoltaic technologies, electricity storage, CO2 capture etc..
The renovation of the existing nuclear fleet A major overhaul necessary as the 30-year mark approaches: Replacement of major components, modernization of I&C, etc. Improvement of industrial safety (including the incorporation of experience feedback from Fukushima). allowing a lifetime extension under the control of the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) (USA : 70 reactors out of 104 obtained a 60-year license) An opportunity for our industry: Offer young people 50,000 highly qualified jobs, in metallurgy, mechanics and electronics. New hires necessary starting in 2012-2013 (training time) Long-term jobs (> 20 years)
The renovation of plants: A major overhaul with a human and financial investment comparable to construction Renewal Initial investments and first years of operation Maintenance program and safety step A new start for the fleet A huge challenge to be met by everyone
A technical and financial challenge Mobilize significant financial resources An industrial challenge Mobilize partners to respond to the volume and complexity of work Find new partners Provide visibility to anticipate investments and recruiting An organizational challenge Organize to handle the volume of activity while retaining control over quality A human challenge The renovation of plants: A huge challenge to be met by everyone Renew the skills of EDF and its industrial partners
France s nuclear fleet is envied Its good safety level has been confirmed Experience feedback from Fukushima will further improve it A future to build: Contribute to supplying abundant, safety and carbon-reduced nuclear and renewable energy
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