Transactions of the Korean Society of Pressure Vessels and Piping (한국압력기기공학회 논문집)

Korean Society of Pressure Vessels and Piping (한국압력기기공학회)
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A Study on the Significance of Unit Capacity Factor (Utilization Rate) of Nuclear Power Plants and Measures for Increasing

원전 이용률의 의의 및 증진방안 고찰

  • Received : 2022.12.08
  • Accepted : 2022.12.21
  • Published : 2022.12.30
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Abstract

Unit capacity factor (utilization rate) of nuclear power plants (NPPs) is an important performance indicator. Since the first commercial operation of Kori Unit 1 began in April 1978, the utilization rate of domestic NPPs has gradually increased, reaching 90% from the end of the 1990s. However, due to various issues such as the Fukushima accident in 2011, corrosion of the CLP, the utilization rate dropped to 65~80%. In the early 1980s, the utilization rate of the U.S. NPPs was around 60%. However, since 2004, it has been consistently maintained above 90%. Therefore, in this study, we first examined the causes of declining the utilization rate in domestic NPPs. Next, the significances of the utilization rates are reviewed in five aspects: investment capability, electricity rate, safety and export, etc., with discussion on the current status of the utilization rates in the U.S. Based on this, three key factors are derived as the reasons of the increasing: equipment reliability program, on-line maintenance and the pursuit of institutional rationality. And finally, by synthesizing above results, the measures for increasing the utilization rate of domestic NPPs are proposed in terms of equipment management, institutional improvements, and personnel resources.

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