A historical review and analysis on the selection of nuclear reactor types and implications to development programs for advanced reactors; A Japanese study

• Main Author: Tomoko Murakami
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2021-11-01
• Series: Energy Reports
• Subjects: Light water reactors; Small modular reactors; Fast reactors; Customers’ perspective; Economies of scale
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352484721003280

A light water reactor (LWR) is the most common reactor type in the world today, and will likely continue to be the main technology of nuclear power towards the mid-21st century. This paper analyzes the factors that made large LWRs the global mainstream and points out the root causes why only a few of other types of reactors, such as small modular reactors (SMRs) and fast neutron reactors (FRs), have been put into practical use so far. It is a universal principle common to all engineering that characteristics and weaknesses sometimes cannot be detected on paper, and it is crucially important to learn lessons from actual experiences of construction, operation and maintenance.LWRs have been selected by their customers because they use common materials such as water, concrete and stainless steel, which enabled utilities and vendors to promote the improvement of materials and operating conditions by globally sharing the experiences of many reactors including some severe accidents. If SMRs, FRs and other innovative reactors are to follow suit, not only the developer’s perspective but also the customer’s perspective, such as economics and stability of supply, is essential.