Work

Development and economic analysis of fast breeder reactor- pressurized water reactor's two-component nuclear power system

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The global installed capacity of nuclear power is expected to grow significantly. Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) could offer an efficient, safe, and sustainable energy solution, supporting long-term nuclear power development while reducing nuclear waste. This paper develops scale estimation and economic analysis models for the two-component nuclear power system consisting of Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs) and FBRs, using 1.2 GWe commercial fast reactors CFR1000 and BN-1200 as case studies. The development scales of PWRs and FBRs are estimated through case studies in China, considering single-reactor systems, once-through cycles, and two-component nuclear power systems. The results indicate that China's two-component nuclear power system could achieve a total installed capacity of 500 GWe. Economic modeling reveals Levelized Unit Energy Costs (LUEC) of 0.0459 USD/kWh for CFR1000 and 0.0494 USD/kWh for BN-1200, with a detailed sensitivity analysis of key impact factors. As the two-component nuclear power system continues to develop globally, fission power of PWR and FBR could serve as an affordable and sustainable baseload power in the future.

Source: Progress in Nuclear Energy

DOI: 10.1016/j.pnucene.2025.106011