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Germany shut down its last three power reactors on 15 April 2023. This marks the end of the era of commercial electricity generation from nuclear energy in Germany. However, a number of research reactors are still in operation. In this article, we explain why this is so, what distinguishes them from commercial reactors, and what the tasks of GRS are in this context.
Gesellschaft für Anlagen- und Reaktorsicherheit (GRS) gGmbH
An NPP with two V-491-type VVER-1200 reactors is being built near the town of Astrawez; the first unit has been operating commercially since June 2021, and the second is scheduled to start commercial operation at the end of this year.
• Together, the two units are expected to account for about one-quarter to one-third of the electricity demand of the heavily import-dependent country.
Gesellschaft für Anlagen- und Reaktorsicherheit (GRS) gGmbH
• Ukraine has 15 Soviet-designed pressurised water reactors (PWRs) at four sites
• The country covers half of its electricity demand with nuclear power
• There are declarations of intent for new build of large nuclear power plants (NPPs) and small modular reactors (SMRs)
• As a result of the Russian war of aggression, Ukraine is currently stepping up its efforts to gain independence from its neighbouring country, as evidenced i.a. by its cooperation with Westinghouse regarding the supply of fuel assemblies.
• The six units of the Zaporizhzhya NPP are occupied by Russia and have been shut down since 2022
• The four units of the Chernobyl NPP on the Belarusian border are being dismantled
From 27 to 29 November 2023, GRS will hold its annual AC2 user meeting at its Garching location. The main objective of the meeting is to provide a communicative platform for the exchange of experience between users.
• 37 reactor units contribute about 20 % to the country's electricity supply.
• Russia is actively engaged in the further development of nuclear power; two conventional SMRs are already in operation, and one lead-cooled SMR is currently under construction.
• The country exports its reactor technology to a number of countries; it is also a world leader in uranium enrichment.
• With Voglte-3, a newly built AP1000 pressurised water reactor started commercial operation at the end of July.
• Another new build, Vogtle-4, is currently in the commissioning phase
• The US has the world's largest nuclear power generation capacity
• With NuScale, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy and TerraPower - to name just a few - concepts for Small Modular Reactors (SMR) are being developed in the US, and cooperations with (European) countries are underway.
• Canada is currently operating 19 nuclear power plant units at four locations: Bruce (8), Pickering (6), Darlington (4), Point Lepreau (1)
• These are all heavy-water-moderated pressure tube reactors of the CANDU type, which can use natural uranium
• A comprehensive modernisation programme is currently underway for the reactor fleet, the life of which is to be extended
• Canada plans to use Small Modular Reactors (SMR), including Hitachi's BWRX-300, which is in the process of pre-licensing