International Workshop for Asian Nuclear Prospect Kobe, October 2008 Nuclear Energy in France : Status, prospects and R&D strategy Pierre-Yves CORDIER Nuclear Counsellor Embassy of France in Japan International Workshop for Asian Nuclear Prospect, October 2008, Kobe, Japan 1
Outline Status of nuclear energy in France Regulatory framework : the 2006 laws The future of nuclear energy in France : The EPR gen III reactor The GB II enrichment plant. R&D strategy for nuclear energy The JHR, an important R&D tool for Gen II, III and IV reactors The SFR and GFR prototypes The situation in Europe : gathering and organizing the competences The MoU between JAEA DOE - CEA Newcomers in the nuclear energy French policy Creation of the AFNI International Workshop for Asian Nuclear Prospect, October 2008, Kobe, Japan 2
The current nuclear power fleet in France EPR GRAVELINES PALUEL PENLY CHOOZ FLAMANVILLE NOGENT / SEINE CATTENOM 34 900 MWe units 20 1300 MWe units 4 1500 MWe units ST-LAURENT DAMPIERRE BELLEVILLE CHINON CIVAUX LE BLAYAIS GOLFECH ST-ALBAN CRUAS TRICASTIN BUGEY FESSENHEIM EPR under construction in Flamanville (First concrete in december 2007) 58 PWR units 63184 MWe installed 428.7 TWh produced in 2007 energy independence rate : 50.5 % in 2007 Connection to the grid : Unit 1 (Fessenheim 1) : April 1977 Unit 58 (Civaux 2) : December 1999 International Workshop for Asian Nuclear Prospect, October 2008, Kobe, Japan 3
The legal framework : The June 2006 laws Radioactive material and waste law : Partitioning & Transmutation : 2012: Assessment of Gen IV fast Reactors / ADS 2020: Fast reactor Prototype Retrievable Geological Repository : 2015: Authorization decree 2025: Beginning of operation Interim storage : Creation of new facilities in 2015. Law on transparency and security in the nuclear field: Creation of the Authority for Nuclear Safety (ASN), to strengthen the independence of the supervising body (5 commissioners). Creation of the High Committee for Transparency and Information on Nuclear Safety, with representatives from the government, the nuclear operators, the citizens, and experts from fields relevant to nuclear energy. Local Information Committees (CLI) created around nuclear facilities, and headed by a local elected official, are strengthened. International Workshop for Asian Nuclear Prospect, October 2008, Kobe, Japan 4
A new reactor to launch the Gen III : The EPR A mature concept, based on current PWRs experience Significant improvements in safety and economy July 05: French Energy Policy Act A Gen III plant by 2012 Oct 05 Feb 06: Public debate to build an EPR in Flamanville December, 07: First concrete poured July 08: The French President announces the launch of a second EPR, which could be operational around 2017. International Workshop for Asian Nuclear Prospect, October 2008, Kobe, Japan 5
Fuel cycle in France: Georges Besse II Plant Late 2006 August 2007 Beginning of the GB II construction site (South Unit) Civil engineering works has been completed for the 1st module Middle 2009 1st cascade South Unit on line Construction works begins on the North Unit (vs 2012) Late 2016 Full capacity (7.5MSWU) is reached (vs 2018) International Workshop for Asian Nuclear Prospect, October 2008, Kobe, Japan 6
R&D needed to support 3 power plants generations R&D needed on the long term to support industry and future systems for sustainability Plant life time management & extension Gen 3 evolution, Fuel performance & safety, innovative fuel & material HTR & Gen 4 1975 2000 2025 2050 2075 Reactors Current Fleet Life time extension EPR Gen IV Source : EDF, ENC 2002 International Workshop for Asian Nuclear Prospect, October 2008, Kobe, Japan 7
Jules Horowitz Reactor (JHR) : a new MTR by 2014 in Cadarache International partnership CEA, EDF, AREVA EU, Belgium, Czech Republic, Japan Finland, Spain, India, Japan, Sweden E.U. Design of experimental devices in progress Public inquiry (Nov. Dec. 2006) Safety review (March 2007) Building start (September 2007) - High level neutronic flux - Increasing instrumentation - Capability to simulate different environments International Workshop for Asian Nuclear Prospect, October 2008, Kobe, Japan 8
The R&D strategy in France for future nuclear systems Sodium Fast Reactor 1 - Development of Fast Reactors with a closed fuel cycle: Sodium Fast Reactor (SFR) Gas Fast Reactor (GFR) New processes for spent fuel treatment and recycling Gas Fast reactor 2 - Hydrogen production, desalination and high temperature process heat supply to the industry: High Temperature Reactor (HTR / VHTR) in support of some of these applications 3 - Innovations for LWRs (Fuel, Systems ) Very High Temperature Reactor International Workshop for Asian Nuclear Prospect, October 2008, Kobe, Japan 9
The strategy in France : a new generation of SFR Phenix reactor Remarkably reliable operation in the 70 s and 80 s Considerable feedback: mixed oxide fuel, materials, fuel cycle closure, technology (SG, IHX) Demonstration of inspectability and repair Assessment of MA transmutation performance Irradiation of advanced fuel concepts Phenix (Marcoule) Superphenix (Creys-Malville) Superphenix (shutdown in 1998) : an industrial prototype (1200 MWe), International Workshop for Asian Nuclear Prospect, October 2008, Kobe, Japan 10
The strategy in France : GFR as a promising alternative A first consistent design for a 2400 MWt GFR Robust decay heat removal strategy (passive after 24hrs) GFR preliminary feasibility report issued January 2008 Innovative fuel GFR 2400 MWt (1100 MWe) reference concept ALLEGRO (50 MWt) International Workshop for Asian Nuclear Prospect, October 2008, Kobe, Japan 11
Common schedule for the two options The bill requires to «provide by 2012 an assessment of the industrial prospects of those systems» (of which Gen IV ones) A 6 year period for R&D to gather technical elements necessary to decide the next step and propose the specifications for the prototype This nevertheless does not mean that all the options for nuclear systems to be deployed after 2040 have to be decided at that time Trends consolidation Choice of options and construction decision First study phase Options evaluation, R&D 2009 2020 2006 2012 2015 Projections on Prototype Building décision Project start : PDS, DDS, safety licensing, construction International Workshop for Asian Nuclear Prospect, October 2008, Kobe, Japan 12
Strategic Energy Technology Plan & nuclear fission Nuclear Energy is one of the Key technology of the SET Plan Key EU technology challenges for the next 10 years : maintain competitiveness in fission technologies, together with long-term waste management solutions, to meet 2020 targets; complete the preparations for the demonstration of Gen-IV fission reactors for increased sustainability, to meet 2050 vision. SNE-TP (Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform) Launched in September 2007 Focus on the development of Generation-IV technologies Partners: utilities, technology providers, technical support organizations, research organizations, universities, Will propose a EII on GEN IV Fast Neutron systems (SFR + alternative technologies GFR/LFR) International Workshop for Asian Nuclear Prospect, October 2008, Kobe, Japan 13
International initiatives: Harmonization of prototypes 250-600 MWe pool/loop France, Japan and USA plan SFR prototypes by 2020-2025 500-750 MWe loop type SG Secondary Pump 250-2000 MWt Primary Pump/IHX Primary Pump/IHX French prototype Reactor Vessel Japanese prototype (JSFR) American prototype (ARR) An approach aiming at international harmonisation is underway : - Assure complementarity of prototypes (objectives, options, ) - Optimize related infrastructures (including fuel fabrication facilities) International Workshop for Asian Nuclear Prospect, October 2008, Kobe, Japan 14
Newcomers on the nuclear energy scene Sept.24 th, 2007, New-York: UN Climate Change Conference «Le nucléaire civil, la France est disposée à aider tout pays qui le souhaiterait, à l obtenir» Oct. 1 st, 2008, Paris : second GNEP Executive Committee Meeting, with 25 partner nations. May 2008: Creation of «France Nucléaire International Agency» An agency inside the CEA, with a Stirring Committee involving all the state actors, in charge of coordinating the French competences. To advise the countries which want to get a nuclear industry during the pre- and feasibility studies, in the framework of bilateral agreements between these countries and France. International Workshop for Asian Nuclear Prospect, October 2008, Kobe, Japan 15