TECHNOLOGY

Generation III

VVER - 1200 reactor

Russian construction known also as VVER-1200. Designed by OKB Gidropress. The reactor is not operating today, but two units are under construction in existing nuclear power plants: Novovoronezh II and Leningrad II. They are planned to start operating in 2013 and 2014. The power plant AES 2006, consisting two units of VVER-1200 is ready to service for 50 years. Power capacity of one unit VVER-1200 is 1170 MWe net and 1290 MWe gross.

The design was derived from older, but well-proven VVER-1000 reactor in AES 92 plant. In comparison, VVER 1200 has increased lifetime and efficiency ( 36,6 % ), with high fuel bur-up of 70GWd/t. Construction time is said to be 54 months. The reactor is resistant to earthquakes, includes several passive safety systems and is cover by double containment. Probability of core damage accident is 10-7.

Today, the design is not available on the EU or US market but is offered at domestic market and in China and India. It is possible to modernize VVER-1200 reactor to fulfil EUR requirements and the Czech Republic is involved to MIR-1200 project of adjusting the Russian design. [35],[36],[37],[41]

  • Copyrights 2011 © Michal Wierzbowski