Host: The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers
Name : The 30th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE30)
Date : May 21, 2023 - May 26, 2023
Nuclear power generation is a practical option of clean energy that emits a few amount of CO2, and the Kansai Electric Power Group's Zero Carbon Vision 2050 includes promoting efforts toward improving the plant operation of existing NPPs and planning construction and replacement with advanced light water reactors. However, from the 2030s onwards, the number of reactors that reaches the statutory upper limit of 60 years will gradually increase, so that the construction of new reactors will naturally be necessary to cope with the reduction in nuclear power generation capacity. The construction of advanced light water reactors are project that takes more than 15 years of time with a large investment. In Japan, which experienced the Fukushima Daiichi accident, the concept and design of new reactors must be acceptable to all stakeholders for a long period of time. Safety measures were implemented for the reactors that were restarted with the goal of achieving the world's highest safety level. However, the concept of those safety measures were strongly influenced by the structure and layout of existing equipment. Therefore, they are not necessarily rational and optimized in consideration of operability and economy. For advanced light water reactors to be constructed, flexible measures can be considered from the design stage to meet possible needs. Therefore, we are proceeding with a rational and optimized design, and clarifying safety, economy, and operability requirements expected for practical use.
