VVER#VVER-1000
{{Short description|Soviet / Russian nuclear reactor type}}
{{Infobox nuclear reactor
|name=VVER reactor class
|fuel_type=LEU
|thermal=VVER-210: 760 MWth
VVER-365: 1,325 MWth
VVER-440: 1,375 MWth
VVER-1000: 3,000 MWth
VVER-1200: 3,212 MWth
VVER-TOI: 3,300 MWth
|electric=VVER-210: 210 MWel
VVER-365: 365 MWel
VVER-440: 440 MWel
VVER-1000: 1,000 MWel
VVER-1200: 1,200 MWel
VVER-TOI: 1,300 MWel
|moderator=Water
|coolant=Liquid (light water)
|control=Control rods
|spectrum=Thermal
|fuel_state=Solid
|status=
|image=File:BalakovoNPP1.jpg
|type=VVER-210
VVER-365
VVER-440
VVER-1000
VVER-1200
VVER-TOI
|type_label=Reactor types
|reactor_line=VVER
|generation=Generation I reactor
Generation II reactor
Generation III reactor
Generation III+ reactor|concept=Pressurized water reactor
|caption=View of the Balakovo Nuclear Power Plant site, with four operational VVER-1000 reactors.
|image_size=300px
|use=Generation of electricity
}}
The water-water energetic reactor (WWER),{{cite news | title= Kudankulam nuclear plant starts generating power, connected to southern grid | work= The Times Of India
| url= http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Kudankulam-nuclear-plant-starts-generating-power-connected-to-southern-grid/articleshow/24518920.cms}} or VVER (from {{langx|ru|водо-водяной энергетический реактор|vodo-vodyanoi enyergeticheskiy reaktor|lit=water-water power reactor}}) is a series of pressurized water reactor designs originally developed in the Soviet Union, and now Russia, by OKB Gidropress.{{cite web | title= Historical notes | publisher= OKB Gidropress | url= http://www.gidropress.podolsk.ru/en/about/history.php | access-date= 20 September 2011}} The idea of such a reactor was proposed at the Kurchatov Institute by Savely Moiseevich Feinberg. VVER were originally developed before the 1970s, and have been continually updated. They were one of the initial reactors developed by the USSR, the other being the infamous RBMK. As a result, the name VVER is associated with a wide variety of reactor designs spanning from generation I reactors to modern generation III+ reactor designs. Power output ranges from 70 to 1300 MWe, with designs of up to 1700 MWe in development.{{cite web | url= http://www.gidropress.podolsk.ru/en/projects/wwer.php | title= WWER-type reactor plants
| publisher= OKB Gidropress | access-date= 25 April 2013}} The first prototype VVER-210 was built at the Novovoronezh Nuclear Power Plant.
VVER power stations have been installed in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Armenia, China, the Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, India, and Iran. Countries that are planning to introduce VVER reactors include Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey. Germany shut down its VVER reactors in 1989-90,{{citation |url=https://www.world-nuclear.org/country/default.aspx/Germany |title=Nuclear Reactors in Germany |work=World Nuclear Association}} and cancelled those under construction.
History
The earliest VVERs were built before 1970. The VVER-440 Model V230 was the most common design, delivering 440 MW of electrical power. The V230 employs six primary coolant loops each with a horizontal steam generator. A modified version of VVER-440, Model V213, was a product of the first nuclear safety standards adopted by Soviet designers. This model includes added emergency core cooling and auxiliary feedwater systems as well as upgraded accident localization systems.
{{cite web | author= Prof. H. Böck | title= WWER/ VVER (Soviet Designed Pressurized Water Reactors) | website= Vienna University of Technology | publisher= Austria Atominstitute | url= http://www.ati.ac.at/fileadmin/files/research_areas/ssnm/nmkt/04_WWER_Overview.pdf | access-date= 28 September 2011}}
The larger VVER-1000 was developed after 1975 and is a four-loop system housed in a containment-type structure with a spray steam suppression system (Emergency Core Cooling System). VVER reactor designs have been elaborated to incorporate automatic control, passive safety and containment systems associated with Western generation III reactors.
The VVER-1200 is the version currently offered for construction, being an evolution of the VVER-1000 with increased power output to about 1200 MWe (gross) and providing additional passive safety features.
In 2012, Rosatom stated that in the future it intended to certify the VVER with the British and U.S. regulatory authorities, though was unlikely to apply for a British licence before 2015.
{{cite news
| title= Rosatom Intends to Certify VVER in Great Britain and USA
| publisher= Novostienergetiki.re
| date= 6 June 2012
| url= http://novostienergetiki.ru/rosatom-intends-to-certify-vver-in-great-britain-and-usa/
| access-date= 21 June 2012
}}
{{cite news
| title= Russia's Rosatom eyes nuclear contracts in Britain
| author= Svetlana Burmistrova
| work= Reuters
| date= 13 August 2013
| url= http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-nuclear-russia-britain-idUKBRE97C0GS20130813
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160114225332/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-nuclear-russia-britain-idUKBRE97C0GS20130813
| url-status= dead
| archive-date= January 14, 2016
| access-date= 14 August 2013
}}
The construction of the first VVER-1300 (VVER-TOI) 1300 MWE unit was started in 2018.
Design
File:Wwer-1000-scheme.png
4: inlet and outlet nozzles
5: reactor core barrel or core shroud
6: reactor core
7: fuel rods]]
File:Сравнение активных зон реакторов.svg
The Russian abbreviation VVER stands for 'water-water energy reactor' (i.e. water-cooled water-moderated energy reactor). The design is a type of pressurised water reactor (PWR). The main distinguishing features of the VVER compared to other PWRs are:
- Horizontal steam generators
- Hexagonal fuel assemblies
- No bottom penetrations in the pressure vessel
- High-capacity pressurizers providing a large reactor coolant inventory
File:Mochovce 2005-01-19 1.jpg]]
Reactor fuel rods are fully immersed in water kept at (12,5 / 15,7 / 16,2 ) MPa (1812/2277/2349 psi) pressure respectively so that it does not boil at the normal (220 to over 320 °C [428 to >608°F]) operating temperatures. Water in the reactor serves both as a coolant and a moderator which is an important safety feature. Should coolant circulation fail, the neutron moderation effect of the water diminishes due to increased heat which creates steam bubbles which do not moderate neutrons, thus reducing reaction intensity and compensating for loss of cooling, a condition known as negative void coefficient. Later versions of the reactors are encased in massive steel reactor pressure vessels. Fuel is low enriched (ca. 2.4–4.4% 235U) uranium dioxide (UO2) or equivalent pressed into pellets and assembled into fuel rods.
Reactivity is controlled by control rods that can be inserted into the reactor from above. These rods are made from a neutron absorbing material and, depending on depth of insertion, hinder the chain reaction. If there is an emergency, a reactor shutdown can be performed by full insertion of the control rods into the core.
= Primary cooling circuits =
File:VVER-1000-Stereometric.svg
File:RIAN archive 450312 Treatment of interior part of reactor frame.jpg.]]
As stated above, the water in the primary circuits is kept under a constant elevated pressure to avoid its boiling. Since the water transfers all the heat from the core and is irradiated, the integrity of this circuit is crucial. Four main components can be distinguished:
- Reactor vessel: water flows through the fuel assemblies which are heated by the nuclear chain reaction.
- Volume compensator (pressurizer): to keep the water under constant but controlled pressure, the volume compensator regulates the pressure by controlling the equilibrium between saturated steam and water using electrical heating and relief valves.
- Steam generator: in the steam generator, the heat from the primary coolant water is used to boil the water in the secondary circuit.
- Pump: the pump ensures the proper circulation of the water through the circuit.
To provide for the continued cooling of the reactor core in emergency situations the primary cooling is designed with redundancy.
= Secondary circuit and electrical output =
The secondary circuit also consists of different subsystems:
- Steam generator: secondary water is boiled taking heat from the primary circuit. Before entering the turbine remaining water is separated from the steam so that the steam is dry.
- Turbine: the expanding steam drives a turbine, which connects to an electrical generator. The turbine is split into high and low pressure sections. To boost efficiency, steam is reheated between these sections. Reactors of the VVER-1000 type deliver 1 GW of electrical power.
- Condenser: the steam is cooled and allowed to condense, shedding waste heat into a cooling circuit.
- Deaerator: removes gases from the coolant.
- Pump: the circulation pumps are each driven by their own small steam turbine.
To increase efficiency of the process, steam from the turbine is taken to reheat coolant in the secondary circuit before the deaerator and the steam generator. Water in this circuit is not supposed to be radioactive.
= Tertiary cooling circuit and district heating =
The tertiary cooling circuit is an open circuit diverting water from an outside reservoir such as a lake or river. Evaporative cooling towers, cooling basins or ponds transfer the waste heat from the generation circuit into the environment.
In most VVERs this heat can also be further used for residential and industrial heating. Operational examples of such systems are Bohunice NPP (Slovakia) supplying heat to the towns of Trnava{{cite web|url=http://www.energyinslovakia.sk/2016/07/nuclearpower-plant-jaslovske-bohunice.html|title=Energy in Slovakia|website=www.energyinslovakia.sk|access-date=2017-03-17|archive-date=2017-07-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705050446/http://www.energyinslovakia.sk/2016/07/nuclearpower-plant-jaslovske-bohunice.html|url-status=dead}} ({{convert|12|km|disp=sqbr}} away), Leopoldov ({{convert|9.5|km|disp=sqbr}} away), and Hlohovec ({{convert|13|km|disp=sqbr}} away), and Temelín NPP (Czech Republic) supplying heat to Týn nad Vltavou {{convert|5|km}} away. Plans are made to supply heat from the Dukovany NPP to Brno (the second-largest city in the Czech Republic), covering two-thirds of its heat needs.{{cite web|url=http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-a-f/czech-republic.aspx|title=Nuclear Power in the Czech Republic - Nuclear Power in Czechia |publisher=World Nuclear Association}}
= Safety barriers =
File:Loviisan voimalaitos ilmasta.png, Finland have containment buildings that fulfil Western safety standards.]]
A typical design feature of nuclear reactors is layered safety barriers preventing escape of radioactive material. VVER reactors have three layers:
- Fuel rods: the hermetic zirconium alloy (Zircaloy) cladding around the uranium oxide sintered ceramic fuel pellets provides a barrier resistant to heat and high pressure.
- Reactor pressure vessel wall: a massive steel shell encases the whole fuel assembly and primary coolant hermetically.
- Reactor building: a concrete containment building that encases the whole first circuit is strong enough to resist the pressure surge a breach in the first circuit would cause.
Compared to the RBMK reactors – the type involved in the Chernobyl disaster – the VVER uses an inherently safer design because the coolant is also the moderator, and by nature of its design has a negative void coefficient like all PWRs. It does not have the graphite-moderated RBMK's risk of increased reactivity and large power transients in the event of a loss of coolant accident. The RBMK reactors were also constructed without containment structures on grounds of cost due to their size; the VVER core is considerably smaller.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WwPJDwAAQBAJ&q=rbmk+serpentinite&pg=PA61|title=Midnight in Chernobyl: The Untold Story of the World's Greatest Nuclear Disaster|first=Adam|last=Higginbotham|date=February 4, 2020|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=9781501134630|via=Google Books}}
= Fuel cycle extension =
In 2024 Rosatom started testing fuel which contains neutron absorber erbium and uranium enriched to 5% (instead of typical 3%-4.95% range). The experiments happen at MIR.M1 research reactor at the Dimitrovgrad Research Institute of Nuclear Reactors. It will allow to extend the current fuel cycle from 12-18 months to 24 months.{{cite news |url=https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/rosatom-launches-reactor-tests-of-5-enriched-nuclear-fuel |title=Rosatom starts reactor tests aiming to increase nuclear fuel enrichment |work=World Nuclear News |date=11 December 2024 |access-date=11 December 2024}}
= Remix Fuel =
Balakovo Nuclear Power Plant is used for Remix Fuel experiments. In December 2024 the third final 18-month phase of the pilot program has started with the goal to achieve closed nuclear cycle for VVER reactors. A mixture of enriched uranium with recycled uranium and plutonium received from the used nuclear fuel at other VVER reactors is used instead of a standard enriched uranium. After the first 2 stages of 3, fuel elements were inspected and were approved for the 3rd final stage. The 3rd stage should conclude in 2026 when the fuel will be unloaded and further studied. Remix fuel has a lower plutonium content of up to 5% compared with MOX fuel.{{cite news |url=https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/final-cycle-of-remix-nuclear-fuel-trial-under-way |title=Final cycle of REMIX nuclear fuel trial under way |publisher=World Nuclear News |date=3 December 2024 |accessdate=18 March 2025}}
Versions
=VVER-440=
One of the earliest versions of the VVER-type, the VVER-440 manifested certain problems with its containment building design. As the V-230 and older models were from the outset not built to resist a design-critical large pipe break, the manufacturer added with the newer model V-213 a so called Bubble condenser tower, that – with its additional volume and a number of water layers – aims to suppress the forces of the rapidly escaping steam without the onset of a containment-leak. As a consequence, all member-countries with plants of design VVER-440 V-230 and older were forced by the politicians of the European Union to shut them down permanently. Because of this, Bohunice Nuclear Power Plant had to close two reactors and Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant had to close four. Whereas in the case of the Greifswald Nuclear Power Plant, the German regulatory body had already taken the same decision in the wake of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
=VVER-1000=
File:Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant - Control Room of Unit 5.jpg Unit 5]]
When first built the VVER design was intended to be operational for 35 years. A mid-life major overhaul including a complete replacement of critical parts such as fuel and control rod channels was thought necessary after that.{{cite journal | url = http://www.iaea.org/inis/collection/NCLCollectionStore/_Public/39/050/39050533.pdf | title = Recent Core Design and Operating Experience in Loviisa NPP | author = Martti Antila, Tuukka Lahtinen | journal = Fortum Nuclear Services LTD, Espoo, Finland | publisher = IAEA | access-date = 20 September 2011}}
Since RBMK reactors specified a major replacement programme at 35 years designers originally decided this needed to happen in the VVER type as well, although they are of more robust design than the RBMK type. Most of Russia's VVER plants are now reaching and passing the 35 year mark. More recent design studies have allowed for an extension of lifetime up to 50 years with replacement of equipment. New VVERs will be nameplated with the extended lifetime.
In 2010 the oldest VVER-1000, at Novovoronezh, was shut down for modernization to extend its operating life for an additional 20 years; the first to undergo such an operating life extension. The work includes the modernization of management, protection and emergency systems, and improvement of security and radiation safety systems.{{cite news |url=http://www.neimagazine.com/story.asp?sectionCode=132&storyCode=2057673 |title=Modernization works begin at Russia's oldest VVER-1000 |publisher=Nuclear Engineering International |date=30 September 2010 |access-date=10 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613091943/http://www.neimagazine.com/story.asp?sectionCode=132&storyCode=2057673 |archive-date=13 June 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}
In 2018 Rosatom announced it had developed a thermal annealing technique for reactor pressure vessels which ameliorates radiation damage and extends service life by between 15 and 30 years. This had been demonstrated on unit 1 of the Balakovo Nuclear Power Plant.{{cite news |url=http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Rosatom-launches-annealing-technology-for-VVER-100 |title=Rosatom launches annealing technology for VVER-1000 units |work=World Nuclear News |date=27 November 2018 |access-date=28 November 2018}}
= VVER-1200 =
is an evolution of the VVER-1000 being offered for domestic and export use.
{{cite web | title= AES-2006 (VVER-1200) | publisher= Rosatom | url= http://www.old.rosatom.ru/en/about/projects/npp_2006/ | access-date= 22 September 2011 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110826120955/http://www.old.rosatom.ru/en/about/projects/npp_2006/ | archive-date= 26 August 2011 | url-status= dead }}
| last= Asmolov
| first= V. G.
| title= Development of the NPP Designs Based on the VVER Technology
| publisher= Rosatom
| date= 10 September 2009
| url= http://www.oecd-nea.org/mdep/events/conf_sept_2009/conference-presentations/Session%204%20-1-4%20-%20ROSATOM.pdf
| access-date= 9 August 2012
}}
The reactor design has been refined to optimize fuel efficiency.
Specifications include a $1,200 per kW overnight construction cost, requiring about 35% fewer operational personnel than the VVER-1000. The VVER-1200 has a gross and net thermal efficiency of 37.5% and 34.8%. The VVER 1200 will produce 1,198 MWe of power.
VVER-1200 has a 60 years design lifetime with the possibility of extension by 20 years.{{cite news |url=http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Novovoronezh-II-2-completes-physical-start-up |title=Novovoronezh II-2 nears physical start-up|website=world-nuclear-news.org|date=25 March 2019 |access-date=25 March 2019}}{{cite news |url=https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/loading-of-dummy-fuel-in-rooppur-1-begins|title=Loading of dummy fuel into Rooppur 1 begins|website=world-nuclear-news.org|date=18 September 2024|access-date=19 September 2024}}
The first two units have been built at Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant II and Novovoronezh Nuclear Power Plant II. More reactors with a VVER-1200/491{{cite report |url=https://www.iaea.org/NuclearPower/Downloadable/aris/2013/36.VVER-1200(V-491).pdf |title=Status report 108 - VVER-1200 (V-491) |publisher=Rosatom |year=2014 |access-date=31 December 2016}} like the Leningrad-II-design are planned (Kaliningrad and Nizhny Novgorod NPP) and under construction. The type VVER-1200/392M
{{cite web
| title= WWER-1000 reactor plant (V-392)
| publisher= OKB Gidropress
| url= http://www.gidropress.podolsk.ru/en/projects/wwer1000.php
| access-date= 22 September 2011
}}
as installed at the Novovoronezh NPP-II has also been selected for the Seversk, Zentral and South-Urals NPP. A standard version was developed as VVER-1200/513 and based on the VVER-TOI (VVER-1300/510) design.
In July 2012 a contract was agreed to build two AES-2006 in Belarus at Ostrovets and for Russia to provide a $10 billion loan to cover the project costs.
{{cite news
| title= $10 billion construction contract signed for two AES 2006 Russian reactors in Belarus
| publisher= I-Nuclear
| date= 19 July 2012
| url= http://www.i-nuclear.com/2012/07/19/10-billion-construction-contract-signed-for-two-aes-2006-russian-reactors-in-belarus/
| access-date= 8 August 2012
}}
An AES-2006 is being bid for the Hanhikivi Nuclear Power Plant in Finland.
{{cite news
| title= Rosatom buys into Fennovoima
| work= World Nuclear News
| date= 28 March 2014
| url= http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/C-Rosatom-buys-into-Fennovoima-2803144.html
| access-date= 29 March 2014
}}
The plant supply contract was signed in 2013, but terminated in 2022 mainly due to Russian invasion of Ukraine.
From 2015 to 2017 Egypt and Russia came to an agreement for the construction of four VVER-1200 units at El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant.{{cite news |url=http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-Notice-to-proceed-contracts-signed-for-El-Dabaa-1112178.html |title='Notice to proceed' contracts signed for El Dabaa |publisher=World Nuclear News |date=11 December 2017 |access-date=12 December 2017}}
On 30 November 2017, concrete was poured for the nuclear island basemat for first of two VVER-1200/523 units at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Bangladesh. The power plant will be a 2.4 GWe nuclear power plant in Bangladesh. The two units generating 2.4 GWe are planned to be operational in 2023 and 2024.{{cite web
|url=https://www.nucnet.org/all-the-news/2017/11/30/first-concrete-poured-for-unit-1-at-bangladesh-s-rooppur |title=First Concrete Poured For Unit 1 At Bangladesh's Rooppur |date= 30 November 2017 |website=www.nucnet.org |publisher=NucNet a.s.b.l Brussels |access-date=30 November 2017}}
On 7 March 2019 China National Nuclear Corporation and Atomstroyexport signed the detailed contract for the construction of four VVER-1200s, two each at the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant and the Xudabao Nuclear Power Plant. Construction will start in May 2021 and commercial operation of all the units is expected between 2026 and 2028.{{cite news |url=http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/AtomStroyExport-unveils-schedule-for-China-project |title=AtomStroyExport unveils schedule for China projects |work=World Nuclear News |date=3 April 2019 |access-date=3 April 2019}}
From 2020 an 18-month refuelling cycle will be piloted, resulting in an improved capacity utilisation factor compared to the previous 12-month cycle.{{cite news |url=https://www.neimagazine.com/news/newsrussia-to-transition-vver-1200-to-longer-fuel-cycle-7803196 |title=Russia to transition VVER-1200 to longer fuel cycle |publisher=Nuclear Engineering International |date=3 March 2020 |access-date=7 March 2020}} The VVER-1200 is designed to be capable of varying power between 100% and 40% for daily load following, which was tested in 2024.{{cite news |url=https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/VVER-fuel-reliable-in-flexible-power-output-tests |title=VVER fuel reliable in flexible power output tests, says Rosatom |website=World Nuclear News |date=16 July 2024 |access-date=16 July 2024}}
== Safety features ==
The nuclear part of the plant is housed in a single building acting as containment and missile shield. Besides the reactor and steam generators this includes an improved refueling machine, and the computerized reactor control systems. Likewise protected in the same building are the emergency systems, including an emergency core cooling system, emergency backup diesel power supply, and backup feed water supply,
A passive heat removal system had been added to the existing active systems in the AES-92 version of the VVER-1000 used for the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in India. This has been retained for the newer VVER-1200 and future designs. The system is based on a cooling system and water tanks built on top of the containment dome.
{{cite news | title= Passive safety in VVERs | author= V.G. Asmolov | work= JSC Rosenergoatom | publisher= Nuclear Engineering International | date= 26 August 2011 | url= http://www.neimagazine.com/story.asp?storyCode=2060518 | access-date= 6 September 2011 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120319191743/http://www.neimagazine.com/story.asp?storyCode=2060518 | archive-date= 19 March 2012 | url-status= dead | df= dmy-all }}
The passive systems handle all safety functions for 24 hours, and core safety for 72 hours.
Other new safety systems include aircraft crash protection, hydrogen recombiners, and a core catcher to contain the molten reactor core in the event of a severe accident.{{cite news |url=http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-First-VVER-1200-reactor-enters-commercial-operation-02031701.html |title=First VVER-1200 reactor enters commercial operation |work=World Nuclear News |date=2 March 2017 |access-date=3 March 2017}} The core catcher will be deployed in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant.{{cite web |url=http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Core-catcher-installation-under-way-at-Rooppur-1 |title=Core catcher installation under way at Rooppur 1 |website=World Nuclear News |access-date=5 June 2019}}
=VVER-TOI=
The VVER-TOI is developed from the VVER-1200. It is aimed at development of typical optimized informative-advanced project of a new generation III+ Power Unit based on VVER technology, which meets a number of target-oriented parameters using modern information and management technologies.{{cite web |url=http://rosatom.ru/wps/wcm/connect/rosatom/rosatomsite/investor/projects/ |title=Создание типового проекта оптимизированного и информатизированного энергоблока технологии ВВЭР (ВВЭР-ТОИ) |publisher=Rosatom Nuclear Energy State Corporation |access-date=2011-10-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425114449/http://rosatom.ru/wps/wcm/connect/rosatom/rosatomsite/investor/projects/ |archive-date=2012-04-25 |url-status=dead }}
The main improvements from the VVER-1200 are:
- power increased to 1300 MWe gross
- upgraded pressure vessel
- improved core design to improve cooling
- further developments of passive safety systems
- lower construction and operating costs with a 40-month construction time
- use of low-speed turbines
- up to 100 years service life (60 years design lifetime with 40 years of extension){{cite news|url=https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Kursk-II-2-reactor-vessel-delivered|title=Kursk II-1 reactor vessel delivered|website=world-nuclear-news.org|date=20 September 2021|access-date=19 September 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Reactor-vessel-delivered-to-Kursk-II-s-second-unit|title=Reactor vessel delivered to Kursk II's second unit|website=world-nuclear-news.org|date=21 November 2023|access-date=19 September 2024}}
The construction of the first two VVER-TOI units was started in 2018 and 2019 at the Kursk II Nuclear Power Plant.{{cite news |url=http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-AEM-Technology-sees-milestone-with-first-VVER-TOI-17041801.html |title=AEM Technology sees milestone with first VVER-TOI |work=World Nuclear News |date=17 April 2018 |access-date=18 April 2018}}
In June 2019 the VVER-TOI was certified as compliant with European Utility Requirements (with certain reservations) for nuclear power plants.{{cite news |url=http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Russia-s-VVER-VOI-reactor-certified-by-European-ut |title=Russia's VVER-TOI reactor certified by European utilities |work=World Nuclear News |date=14 June 2019 |access-date=14 June 2019}}
=VVER-600=
2 units of VVER-600 are planned for Kola Nuclear Power Plant, construction is expected to start in 2028.{{cite news |url=https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Kola-II-construction-to-start-in-2028 |title=Kola II construction to start in 2028 |work=World Nuclear News |date=21 June 2021 |access-date=14 February 2025}} These 2 Kola-II units are supposed to be VVER-S types and be able to potentially work on 100% MOX fuel (mix of uranium and plutonium).{{cite news |url=https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/fresh-stage-of-research-for-vver-s-and-mox-fuel |title=Fresh stage of tests for VVER-S and MOX fuel |work=World Nuclear News |date=18 March 2025 |access-date=18 March 2025}}
Power plants
Technical specifications
Classification
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+VVER models and installations{{cite web|url=http://www.rosatom.ru/upload/iblock/0be/0be1220af25741375138ecd1afb18743.pdf|title=The VVER today|publisher=ROSATOM|access-date=31 May 2018}} | |||
| Generation || Name || Model || Country || Power plants | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="3" |I | rowspan="3" | VVER | Russia | Novovoronezh 1 (decommissioned) |
| V-70 (V-2){{cite web|url=http://elib.biblioatom.ru/text/istoriya-atomnoy-energetiki_v2_2002/go,246|title=Эволюция водо-водяных энергетических реакторов для АЭС p.246|author=Денисов В.П.}} | East Germany | Rheinsberg (KKR) (decommissioned){{citation needed|date=July 2018}} | |
| V-365 (V-3M) | Russia | Novovoronezh 2 (decommissioned) | |
| rowspan="14" |II | rowspan="14" | VVER-440
| V-179 | Russia | Novovoronezh 3 (decommissioned) - 4 |
| rowspan="4" | V-230 | Russia | Kola 1-2 | |
| East Germany | Greifswald 1-4 (decommissioned) | ||
| Bulgaria | Kozloduy 1-4 (decommissioned) | ||
| Slovakia | Bohunice I 1-2 (decommissioned) | ||
| rowspan="7" | V-213 | Russia | Kola 3-4 | |
| East Germany | Greifswald 5 (decommissioned) | ||
| Ukraine | Rivne 1-2 | ||
| Hungary | Paks 1-4 | ||
| Czech Republic | Dukovany 1-4 | ||
| Finland | Loviisa 1-2 | ||
| Slovakia | Bohunice II 1-2 Mochovce 1-2 | ||
| V-213+ | Slovakia | Mochovce 3 Mochovce 4 (under construction) | |
| V-270 | Armenia | Armenian-1 (decommissioned) Armenian-2 | |
| rowspan="12" |III | rowspan="12" | VVER-1000
| V-187 | Russia | Novovoronezh 5 |
| V-302 | Ukraine | South Ukraine 1 | |
| rowspan="2" | V-338 | Ukraine | South Ukraine 2 | |
| Russia | Kalinin 1-2 | ||
| rowspan="4" | V-320 | Russia | Balakovo 1-4 Kalinin 3-4 Rostov 1-4 | |
| Ukraine | Rivne 3-4 Zaporizhzhia 1-6 Khmelnytskyi 1-2 South Ukraine 3 | ||
| Bulgaria | Kozloduy 5-6 | ||
| Czech Republic | Temelin 1-2 | ||
| V-428 | China | Tianwan 1-2 | |
| V-428M | China | Tianwan 3-4 | |
| V-412 | India | Kudankulam 1-2 Kudankulam 3-6 (under construction) | |
| V-446 | Iran | Bushehr 1 | |
| rowspan="9" |III+ | VVER-1000
| V-528 | Iran | Bushehr 2 (construction frozen) |
| rowspan="7" | VVER-1200
| V-392M | Russia | Novovoronezh II 1-2 | |
| rowspan="3" | V-491 | Russia | Baltic 1-2 (construction frozen) Leningrad II 1-2 Leningrad II 3-4 (under construction) | |
| Belarus | Belarus 1-2 | ||
| China | Tianwan 7-8 (under construction) Xudabao 3-4 (under construction) | ||
| V-509 | Turkey | Akkuyu 1-4 (under construction) | |
| V-523 | Bangladesh | Rooppur 1-2 (under construction) | |
| V-529 | Egypt | El Dabaa 1-4 (under construction) | |
| |VVER-1300
| V-510K | Russia | Kursk II 1-2 (under construction) |
See also
Notes
{{reflist|group="nb"}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [http://www.rosatom.ru/upload/iblock/0be/0be1220af25741375138ecd1afb18743.pdf The VVER today], Rosatom, 2013
- [http://www.gidropress.podolsk.ru/en/projects/wwer.php WWER-type reactor plants], OKB Gidropress
- {{cite web |language=en |url=http://www.aem-group.ru/static/images/infografix/2019/1200-2019-05/AEM_reaktor_ENG.pdf |title=VVER-1200 Reactor}} - on AEM official pdf{{in lang|en}}
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91yVhrSZ5jQ VVER 1200 Construction] - on AEM Official YouTube Channel{{in lang|en}}
{{Hidden Nuclear Power Plants in Russia}}
{{Nuclear fission reactors}}
Category:Nuclear power reactor types
Category:Nuclear technology in the Soviet Union