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Electricity generation in the world of nuclear power industry 111

Table 3.14 Typical ranges of thermal efficiencies (gross) of modern
nuclear power plants [1]

Gross efficiency,
No Nuclear power plant (%)
1 Carbon-dioxide-cooled reactor NPP (Generation III) (reactor Up to 42
coolant: P¼4MPa and T¼290–650°C; steam: P¼17MPa
(T sat ¼352°C) and T in ¼560°C)
2 Sodium-cooled fast reactor (BN-600/BN-800) NPP (steam: Up to 40
P¼14MPa (T sat ¼337°C) and T in ¼505°C)
3 Pressurized-water-reactor NPP (Generation III+, to be Up to 38
implemented within next 1–10years) (reactor coolant:
P¼15.5MPa and T out ¼327°C; steam: P¼7.8MPa and
T in ¼293°C)
4 Pressurized-water-reactor NPP (Generation III, current fleet) Up to 36
(reactor coolant: P¼15.5MPa and T out ¼292–329°C; steam:
P¼6.9MPa and T in ¼285°C)
5 Boiling-water-reactor NPP (Generation III, current fleet) Up to 34
(P in ¼7.2MPa and T in ¼288°C)
6 Pressurized heavy water reactor NPP (Generation III, current Up to 32
fleet) (reactor coolant: P¼11MPa and T¼260–310°C;
steam: P¼4.6MPa and T in ¼259°C)

It should be once more emphasized that, in general, current problems in the
world nuclear power industry are significant delays in putting into operation
new, mainly, Generation III+ reactors, e.g., EPRs by AREVA, APs-1000 by
Toshiba-Westinghouse, etc.; indecision of governments in terms of support of
nuclear-based electricity generation; and radioactive-waste management and safe
storage.
In spite of all current advances in nuclear power, NPPs have the following deficien-
cies: (1) Generate radioactive wastes; (2) Have relatively low thermal efficiencies,
especially, NPPs equipped with water-cooled reactors (up to 1.6 times lower than that
for modern advanced thermal power plants (see Tables 3.14 and 3.8, respectively);
(3) Risk of radiation release during severe accidents; and (4) Production of nuclear
fuel is not an environment-friendly process. Therefore, all these deficiencies should
be addressed in next generation—Generation IV reactors and NPPs [1].

3.5 Conclusions

1. It is well known that electrical power generation is the key factor for advances in industry,
agriculture, technology, and standard of living. Also, strong power industry with diverse
energy sources is very important for a country’s independence.
2. Major sources for electrical energy generation in the world today are: (1) thermal—primary
coal (39.9%) and secondary natural gas (22.6%); (2) “large” hydro (17.2%); and (3) nuclear