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Civil nuclear reactors are used for the production of electrical energy. In the nuclear industry vendors propose several nuclear reactor designs with a size from 35–45 MWe up to 1600–1700 MWe. The choice of the right design is a multidimensional problem since a utility has to include not only financial factors as levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) and internal rate of return (IRR), but also the so called “external factors” like the required spinning reserve, the impact on local industry and the social acceptability. Therefore it is necessary to balance advantages and disadvantages of each design during the entire life cycle of the plant, usually 40–60 years. In the scientific literature there are several techniques for solving this multidimensional problem. Unfortunately it does not seem possible to apply these methodologies as they are, since the problem is too complex and it is difficult to provide consistent and trustworthy expert judgments. This paper fills the gap, proposing a two-step framework to choosing the best nuclear reactor at the pre-feasibility study phase. The paper shows in detail how to use the methodology, comparing the choice of a small-medium reactor (SMR) with a large reactor (LR), characterised, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (2006), by an electrical output respectively lower and higher than 700 MWe. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

When increase in energy needs of developing countries cannot be met by conventional energy sources, alternative energy sources are considered to substitute them. Nuclear energy that meets the needs of a greater proportion of energy demands for countries is one of effective alternative energy types. In this context, after deciding on the use of nuclear energy, the selection of the most suitable location for the production of nuclear power is one of the important decision making problems. In this paper, we performed a facility location selection model for Turkey in meeting the needs of energy with using new and unused source of nuclear energy. For this aim, a combined fuzzy multi criteria decision making (MCDM) methodology that consists of Interval type-2 fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (AHP) that is applied to determine weights of criteria and interval type-2 fuzzy TOPSIS that is applied for ranking alternatives is used to determine the best location alternative for the nuclear power plant. By the way, the obtained results have been analyzed depending upon the criteria that used for the evaluation process. The obtained results are compared with existing nuclear power plants location selection policy for Turkey and some suggestions have been made for the plants where would be the located are not decided. By the way, a sensitivity analysis has been conducted to analyze effects of changes in decision's parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the vulnerability of nuclear power plants to a disaster like the one that occurred at Fukushima Daiichi. Examination of Japanese nuclear plants affected by the earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011 shows that three variables were crucial at the early stages of the crisis: plant elevation, sea wall elevation, and location and status of backup generators. Higher elevations for these variables, or waterproof protection of backup generators, could have mitigated or prevented the disaster. We collected information on these variables, along with historical data on run-up heights, for 89 coastal nuclear power plants in the world. The data shows that 1. Japanese plants were relatively unprotected against potential inundation in international comparison, but there was considerable variation for power plants within and outside of Japan; 2. Older power plants and plants owned by the largest utility companies appear to have been particularly unprotected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is proposed that the fatigue strength of structures in nuclear power plants with a quite long service life be analyzed in two stages: first, the type and location of the process and the effect of basic factors are determined by method of direct analysis of stable cycles and then a more accurate stepped analysis of the deformation kinetics is performed. The real properties of a material are systematized, taking account of creep, in ways that depend on the different types of processes. The methods for calculating the conditions and mechanisms of the progressing shape change and alternating-sign flow are refined. An example of the instability of the processes of cyclic deformation, which limits the possibility of operating structures beyond the limits of elastic adaptability, is examined. The possibilities and conditions for algorithmitization of the choice of material models and ensuring computational accuracy in calculations of deformation kinetics are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of protection of Human rights, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights is the Highest Tribunal that fights for the promotion of those contained in the American Convention on Human Rights. "Francisco Suarez S.J." competition is intended to raise consciousness and awareness of Iberamerican's University Students, through the investigation, analysis and criticism based on a hypothetic case related to International Rights and specifically of the Inter-American System of protection of Human Rights. This paper is the answer to the complaint made by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in which it made the State of "Astoria" responsible of certain violations to Human Rights due to the establishment of a nuclear power plant. The violations consist in rights like: right to a worthy life, freedom of movement and residency, protection of family rights, etc. The State will demonstrate that it hasn't violated any right and that it has fulfilled all its obligations in matters of Human Rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper treats the optimal location of nuclear-power plants in the Pacific Northwest with respect to capital-construction, operating, and transmission costs. It presents a mathematical formulation of this two-product (peak and energy power) plant-location problem, using the simplex method in conjunction with a branch-and-bound process, and indicates a check procedure using Vogel's approximation method in conjunction with an algorithm for solving the transportation problem and a branch-and-bound process. The paper gives results for demand-growth rates of 4, 5, 6 and 7 percent and alternative designs and their costs. It also discusses the stability of the optimal solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ever since economist Alfred Marshall introduced the notion of consumer's surplus into the literature as a measure of well-being, economists have been interested in determining the amount of compensation required to leave individuals indifferent between the status quo and a new situation where less of a commodity can be consumed. The criteria of specifying compensation variations may be appropriate for normal market goods where there is a well-specified demand curve. The analysis is less applicable for dealing with environmental resources where elements of risk are involved, or there exist public good features that make it difficult to estimate people's values for different amenities. This article investigates the question of the appropriate role that providing benefits to a host community can play in improving the chances of siting a facility that is perceived to be potentially hazardous. In section one, authors develop a simple two-period expected utility, model to explain preferences for benefit packages. The empirical analysis examining the predictive power of this model will be related to the following problem of current interest: The U.S. Congress is attempting to locate a site for storing high level radioactive waste from commercial nuclear power plants in the United States. An underground repository is to be constructed 2000 feet below the earth's surface for the purpose of permanently storing nuclear waste shipped in casks from power plants around the country. Once filled to capacity, the repository would be sealed to minimize any radiation leakage.

Al-Mahzam is a potential site for a power plant. It is situated in Salah Al-Deen governerate., The radiological safety of operating one unit of a VVER-440 Soviet built nuclear power plant on the site was assessed. Atmospheric, as well as aquatic, releases of radionuctides during normal operation of the power plant were used to estimate the annual effective dose equivalent to the highest exposed individual living around the site and down river from it. The annual effective dose equivalents to the highest exposed individual resulting from atmospheric and aquatic pathways is 1.8 x 10[sup -6] Sv y[sup -1]. The contribution of the former is 1.0 x 10[sup -6] Sv y[sup -1] while the contribution of the latter is 8.2 x 10[sup -7] Sv y[sup -1]. The effective dose equivalent resulting from the exposure to natural radiation at Al-Mahzam was 4.6 x 10[sup -4] Sv y[sup -1]. Thus the operation of a VVER-440 nuclear power plant would only cause an increase of ∼0,4% of the annual effective dose equivalent due to external exposure to natural gamma background radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on an Early Site Permit (ESP) which has been issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to the Exelon Generation Company for its site near Clinton, Illinois. Details on additional permit applications at locations in Grand Gulf, Mississippi, North Anna, Virginia and Vogtle, Georgia are provided. The ESP marks completion of safety and environmental rules and sets the process forward for the future construction of a nuclear power plant. Specific locations where further details can be obtained are provided.

The article focuses on the consideration of the use of nuclear power by the British government. According to Jim Skea, research director at the Energy Research Centre, nuclear power has to be considered as a future option for electricity because it would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase diversity of supply. There are a number of factors to be considered by the British government regarding the nuclear power option, including design, location and financing.

The article presents information on a study regarding the launching of the replacement research reactor in the Netherlands. The Dutch Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group has stated that it had taken the initiative with the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission for this study. The location for the replacement reactor is Petten, Netherlands that was chosen after a study conducted in 2001 for seeking the location for the future nuclear infrastructure in Europe. The existing reactor, which started operations in 1961, has to be replaced with its successor, producing less radio active wastes.

Reports on the move of British Nuclear Fuels PLC to combine all its non-radioactive test rig work under one location in Great Britain. Impetus to the move; Site of the proposed facility; Advantage of removing a non-radioactive work from a nuclear licensed site.