SEMER: a simple code for the economic evaluation of nuclear and fossil energy-based power production systems

The code system, SEMER, was recently developed to evaluate the economic impact of various nuclear reactors and associated innovations. Models for nearly all fossil energy-based systems were also included to provide a basis for cost comparisons.Essentially, SEMER includes three types of model libraries: the global model, for a rapid estimation of various nuclear and fossil energy-based systems, the detailed models, for the finer cost evaluation of individual components and circuits in a PWR type of reactor and the fuel cycle models, for PWRS, HTRs and FBRs, allowing the cost estimations related to all the steps in the nuclear fuel cycle, including reprocessing and disposal.This paper summarises our on-going investigations on new developments in, and on the validation of, the SEMER system.Details of the modelling principles, and the results of validation carried out in the context of an EDF/CEA Joint Protocol Agreement, are also presented.First results of this validation are highly encouraging:<L TYPE="UNORD"><LI>Relative errors for the total kWh or overnight and investment costs are less than 5% for large PWR systems operating in France or other countries.</LI><LI>These errors are less than 3% for small-sized compact PWRs and they are of the order of 4–7% for HTRs (as compared to IAEA estimations).</LI><LI>For fossil energy-based power plants, the relative error, even with slightly different cost breakdown between SEMER and that of existing installations, is from 5 to 20%.</LI><LI>Similarly, errors on the nuclear fuel cycle costs are about 1–4%, compared to published reference values.</LI></L> [Copyright &y& Elsevier]