Generation IIIa reactors
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Description
A Generation IIIa nuclear reactor is characterised, over older reactors, by:
- maximum efficiency
- low electricity generation costs
- proof against mechanical accidents
- inherent fail-safe passive safety features
- quadruplicated diversified active safety features
- ability to use 100% recycled fuel
- 50-60 year lifetime with 96%+ annual availability
Detailed description
Several companies and consortia are offering Generation IIIa nuclear reactors and power stations. The most cited one is the European pressurised light water reactor (EuroPWR or EPR for short)[1], which is offered by a consortium of Areva, Framatome and Siemens. At the time of writing (mid-2008), two EPR power stations are under construction, in Finland and France, two more in China are starting construction and one is in advanced planning in the USA. The reference gives a detailed description of the reactor and the main safety features.
