RE: [cdn-nucl-l] KNEF boosting positive impact of nuclear power i n society

["Adam McLean" <adam.mclean@utoronto.ca>]

Title: Message

Hi Morgan,

 

I remember from being at OPG that Darlington had a web page with each unit's real-time production which did go negative when a unit was shut down.  I believe it was usually something between -1 and -2% but I cannot recall the exact figure.  A guy I know there is currently on holidays but I can get back to you if no one else throws any figures out...

 

Adam

-----Original Message-----
From: cdn-nucl-l-admin@informer2.cis.McMaster.CA [mailto:cdn-nucl-l-admin@informer2.cis.McMaster.CA] On Behalf Of Brown, Morgan
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2002 1:44 PM
To: Canadian Nuclear Discussion List
Subject: RE: [cdn-nucl-l] KNEF boosting positive impact of nuclear power i n society

Mike

Korea has a total of 16 operating reactors at 4 sites, with a total gross generating capacity of 13,768 MWe (13.768 million kWe).  That includes the four CANDU 6 units (678 + 3 x 715 MWe gross).  Note that Nuclear Engineering International lists the gross rating of Korea's reactors at 13924 MWe.

"Consumption factor"?  I think they mean capacity factor.  Last year the Korean reactors produced a total of 112052163 MWhe (gross, according to Nucleonics Week, Feb 14 2002).  That's an average capacity factor of 112052163 / (24*365*13768) = 92.91%.  The arithmetic average of the individual station capacity factors is 92.56%.  The value of 93.2% "consumption factor" used in the article may reflect a more up-to-date total production figure, different values for total generating capacity (i.e. a total rated capacity of 13725 MWe), or some other accounting variation.

There is a type of consumption factor for all power stations, = 1 - (net/gross production).  For nuclear stations at full power, this is in the order of 6 to 7% (though I usually use 8% to be conservative when calculating the net electricity from gross production figures).  The internal consumption is mainly from pumps (especially the primary ones), and does not decrease linearly with reactor power.  The Darlington reactors, for instance, have a gross full power rating of 935 MWe, but the net power is rated at 881 MWe (5.8% internal consumption).  The power consumption at full power is thus (nominally) 54 MWe.  When the reactor is at "zero power hot", I presume the power consumption is lower because the coolant flow does not need to be as high, but is still significant (Anyone with hard numbers?).

- Morgan Brown

-----Original Message-----
From: English, Michael [mailto:englishm@aecl.ca]
Sent: Monday August 26, 2002 12:12 PM
To: 'Adam McLean'; Canadian Nuclear Discussion List
Subject: RE: [cdn-nucl-l] KNEF boosting positive impact of nuclear power i n society

Sounds like the Korean's have a handle on the public relations scene...  this is definitely something that should be looked into closer to home.  Apart from a few OPG and AECL ads in trade magazines, it would be very useful in promoting nuclear power to see (hear) ads on the radio, TV and even bus shelters.

A few questions though...  "The plants located in four regions across the country boasts a
generating capacity totaling 137.6 billion kW (kilowatts)."  If that's true, the capacity factor for producing 112.1 billion kWh would be horrible.  Would they likely mean 13.76 million rather than 137.6 billion?  At 16 plants, that would be an average of 860MW per plant, which seems likely.

Also, what is "consumption factor"?  And if it's really consumption, why would it be less than 100% (i.e., why produce energy that's not going to be consumed?  You're just charging the distribution system then).  Would that likely mean capacity factor?

Can anyone shed some light on this?
Thanks
Mike