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The European Pressurized Reactor ('''EPR''' or US-EPR for the United States specific design) is a Third Generation nuclear fission Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) design. It has been designed and developed mainly by Framatome (Areva NP) and Electricité De France (EDF) in France , and Siemens AG in Germany . In Areva 's webpage {Link without Title} this reactor is now called '''Evolutionary Power Reactor'''.

As of 2007 , two units were under construction, one each in Finland and in France, and two units were planned as part of China 's tenth economic plan, to start construction in 2009 .


DESIGN

The main design objectives of the EPR design are increased safety while providing enhanced economic competitiveness through evolutionary improvements to previous PWR designs scaled up to an electrical power output of 1600 MWe . The reactor can use 5% Enriched Uranium Oxide or Mixed Uranium Plutonium Oxide fuel. This reactor's core can be loaded with 100% MOX fuel, whereas a typical PWR core can loaded with only about 33% MOX fuel.

The EPR design has several active and passive protection measures against accidents:
  • Four independent emergency cooling systems, each capable of cooling down the reactor after shutdown.

  • Leaktight container around the reactor.

  • An extra container and cooling area if a molten core manages to escape the reactor (see Containment Building ).

  • Two-layer concrete wall with total thickness 2.6 meters, designed to withstand impact by airplanes.


The EPR has a maximum core damage frequency of 4 x 10-7 per plant per year. '' New Nuclear Plants: A New Model ''. Author: George Vanderheyden, UniStar Nuclear President. North American Young Generation In Nuclear presentation.


PILOT POWER PLANT

The 3.7 billion. EPR IN FINLAND: FOUNDATION STONE-LAYING DAY AT OLKILUOTO 3 by AREVA


Progress

In May 2006 construction delays of about one year were announced, following quality control problems across the construction. In part the delays were due to the lack of oversight of subcontractors inexperienced in nuclear construction. Regulator reports as OL3 delays reach one year, 19 July 2006, by Nuclear Engineering International Concrete composition delays Finland's Olkiluoto 3 , Nuclear Engineering International, 9 May 2006 The delays led to disappointing financial results for the Areva NP. It blamed delays on the Finnish approach to approving technical documentation and designs.
Areva’s first half results hit by Olkiluoto 3 delays, 2 October 2006, by Nuclear Engineering International European Pressurised Reactor at Olkiluoto 3, Finland - Brief & Interim Review of the Porosity and Durability Properties of the In Situ Cast Concrete at the Olkiluoto EPR Construction Site, June 2006, Large & Associates

In December 2006 TVO announced construction was about 18 months behind schedule so completion was now expected 2010-2011, and there were reports that Areva was preparing to take a 500 million charge on its accounts for the delay. Finland nuclear reactor delayed again , Associated Press, 4 December 2006
Areva to take 500 mln eur charge for Finnish reactor delay , Forbes , 5 December 2006

At the end of June 2007 it was reported that , 10 August 2007


FUTURE POWER PLANTS


China

See Also: Nuclear power in China


In 2006, there was a bidding in process to build four new EPR reactors to to build four AP1000 reactors, because of its refusal to transfer the expertise and knowledge to China.
Nevertheless in February 2007 Areva won Another Deal , worth about 5 billion, for two other nuclear reactors located in Guangdong , in southern China in spite of sticking to its previous conditions.1 The local partner for this project is China Guangdong Nuclear Power Co.


France

See Also: Nuclear power in France


As of early 2007, site preparation for a demonstration EPR reactor at the Flamanville Nuclear Power Plant is underway. The site already has two operating reactors, and this reactor will be called Flamanville 3. Electrical output will be 1,600 MW and it is projected to cost 3.3 billion Euros.EDF Official Site - Flamanville 3 {Link without Title} The following is a condensed timeline for the unit:

  • From October 19 , 2005 to February 18 , 2006 the project was submitted to a national public debate

  • On May 4 , 2006 the decision was made by the EDF’s Board of Directors to continue with the construction

  • Between June 15 and July 31 , 2006 the unit was under public enquiry, which rendered a "favorable opinion" on the project {Link without Title}

  • Summer 2006 site preparation works began

  • December 2007 construction of the unit itself will begin, construction will last 54 months

  • In 2012 the facility will be commissioned



Protests