The Early Bird catches the worm

Implications: Cancellation of the proposed TXU coal-fired plants may lead to a perceived lack of firm generation capacity that can be adequately filled by new reliable and safe nuclear plants. Being first in the queue to license new nuclear reactors, will put NRG in a powerful position. There are more than sixty examples of GE designed, BWR power plants successfully operating or since de-commissioned globally. Examples of BWR’s are to be found in USA, Finland, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. The UK nuclear regulators, HSE together with the Environment Agency (EA), have developed a Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process for the new generation of nuclear power stations. A GE-Hitachi consortium has submitted its ESBWR that employs a direct-cycle, natural circulation boiling water reactor to the UK GDA process. Other designs submitted to GDA are two PWR's and an advanced Candu Reactor design.

Analysis:  BWR plants operate at lower pressure than PWR’s, and the pressure vessel is subject to significantly less irradiation compared to a PWR, and therefore does not become brittle with age. It also operates at a lower nuclear fuel temperature, with fewer major components and potentially lower risk of rupture causing loss of coolant compared to a PWR.

If the world is truly convinced on Global Warming the way ahead must be through reliable and safe nuclear power plants.