Is there life after sixty? (For nuclear plants that is)

[FBaggins]

A new research program headed by the US Department of Energy will begin to investigate the case for reactor lifespans of greater than 60 years. There are 104 operating nuclear power reactors in the USA, all of which are either boiling water reactors or pressurized water reactors. Both these designs are types of light water reactor - refering to the fact they use water as a moderator.

The US system sees reactors originally licensed for a period of 40 years, with the possibility of a one-off 20 year licence renewal. The majority of operating US reactors have already received this and the remainder are expected to eventually apply. As part of this process, operators have to submit information on the technical considerations of plant-aging and how they intend to manage them. The safety and economic case has not yet been made for going beyond 60 years, although operators and regualtors are aware of some risks and benefits.

...snip...

The research is considered a priority for helping America meet its long-term objectives of energy and environmental security. While for now cheap gas prices make a new nuclear plant a risky investment in the USA, existing nuclear remains more than competitive and a very important contributor to the energy mix.

According to the authors, "Extending the operating lifetimes of current plants beyond 60 years and, where practical, making further improvements in their productivity is essential to realizing the administration's goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by the year 2050."



http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS_Is_there_life_after_sixty_0302121.html

[Throckmorton]

1. God, I hope not

As one that spends all the live long day just trying to get a pair of them to fourty years, and has to fight for every nickel, I just can't see them making it to sixty, let alone longer.

[hunter]

2. So, are you training someone to take your place?

I hope so.

I'd hate to see an old nuclear power plant run remotely by Wall Street bankers, unpaid student interns, and random visitors who slept at the Holiday Inn.