INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Nuclear power plants operate in most states in the country and produce about 20
percent of the nations power. Nearly three million Americans live within 10 miles of an
operating nuclear power plant. Although the construction and operation of these facilities are
closely monitored and regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), accidents at
these plants are possible. An accident could result in dangerous levels of radiation that could
affect the health and safety of the public living near the nuclear power plant. Local and state
governments, federal agencies and the electric utilities have emergency response plans in the
event of a nuclear power plant incident. The plans define two emergency planning zones.
One covers an area within a ten-mile radius of the plant where it is possible that people could
be harmed by direct radiation exposure. The second zone covers a broader area, usually up to a
50-mile radius from the plant, where radioactive materials could contaminate water supplies,
food crops and livestock.
Nuclear technology uses the energy released by splitting the atoms of certain elements.
It was first developed in the 1940s, and during the Second World War research initially focused
on producing bombs by splitting the atoms of particular isotopes of either uranium or
plutonium.
In the 1950s attention turned to the peaceful purposes of nuclear fission, notably for
power generation. Today, the world produces as much electricity from nuclear energy as it did
from all sources combined in 1960. Civil nuclear power can now boast over 15,500 reactor
years of experience and supplies almost 11.5% of global electricity needs, from reactors in 31
countries. In fact, through regional grids, many more than those countries use nuclear-
generated power.
Many countries have also built research reactors to provide a source of neutron beams
for scientific research and the production of medical and industrial isotopes.
Today, only eight countries are known to have a nuclear weapons capability. By contrast, 56
operate about 240 civil research reactors, over one thrid of these in developing countries. Now
31 countries host over 430 commercial nuclear power reactors with a total installed capacity of
over 370,000 MWe. This is more than three times the total generating capacity of France or
Germany from all sources. About 70 further nuclear power reactors are under construction,
equivalent to 20% of existing capacity, while over 160 are firmly planned, equivalent to half of
present capacity.





Understanding radiation
Radioactive materials are composed of atoms that are unstable. An unstable atom
gives off its excess energy until it becomes stable. The energy emitted is radiation. Each of us is
exposed to radiation daily from natural sources, including the sun and earth. Small traces of
radiation are present in food and water. Radiation also is released from man-made sources
such as x-ray machines, television sets and microwave ovens. Nuclear power plants use the
heat generated from nuclear fission in a contained environment to convert water to steam,
which powers generators to produce electricity. Radiation has a cumulative effect. The
longer a person is exposed to radiation, the greater the risk. A high exposure to radiation can
cause serious illness or death. The potential danger from an accident at a nuclear power plant is
exposure to radiation. This exposure could come from the release of radioactive material from
the plant into the environment, usually characterized by a plume (cloudlike) formation of
radioactive gases and particles. The area the radioactive release may affect is determined by
the amount released from the plant, wind direction and speed, and weather conditions. The
major hazards to people in the vicinity of the plume are radiation exposure to the body from
the cloud and particles deposited on the ground, inhalation of radioactive materials, and
ingestion of radioactive materials. If an accident at a nuclear power plant were to release
radiation in your area,

Observation
With several nuclear power plants (NPPs) presently under construction worldwide,
expectations are rising regarding the quality, cost and schedule associated with the
construction of new NPPs. Worldwide experience in large construction projects, including NPP
projects, has resulted in significant advancements in construction techniques and methods.
This includes advances in the following areas:
Integrated project planning and management
Design control is validated by continuous review of a project schedule fo implementation and
verification of critical and subcritical paths.
Deployment planning
Information and data management of design, schedule, cost, procurement, personnel and
job status information;
Control of inventory and movement of construction personnel, material, tools and
equipment, including use of radiofrequency identification (RFID) devices, global positioning
system (GPS) tracking and in-camera surveillance;
Construction efficiency, including use of an alphanumeric Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
that identifies all structures, systems and engineered components by building-level-
area/system-class-code (BLA/S-C-C).
Site construction infrastructure and layout for construction
Methods and equipment for movement and lifting of large modules and very heavy
equipment;
Construction personnel mobility.
Civil works
Laser and GPS mapping;
Excavation and ground preparation.
Structural erection
Reinforced concrete and concrete forming;
Steel structure erection;
Structural modularization.
Mechanical installations including all modules
System and room modularization and placement;
High deposition rate welding technologies and overall reductions in the number of critical
welds;
Insulation and lagging.
Electrical and controls installations
Electrical cable placement and splicing technologies;
Plant data and controls networking installations.
Inspection, testing and acceptance criteria management
Robotic and remote inspection;
As-built information management.

Objectives
To know how a nuclear power plant operates and designed

Related Topics
All parts of the world are involved in nuclear power development, and a few examples follow.
China
The Chinese government plans to increase nuclear generating capacity to 58
GWe with 30 GWe more under construction by 2020. China has completed construction
and commenced operation of 17 new nuclear power reactors over 2002-13, and some
30 new reactors are either under construction or likely to be so by the end of 2014.
These include the world's first four Westinghouse AP1000 units and a demonstration
high-temperature gas-cooled reactor plant. Many more are planned, with construction
due to start within about three years. China is commencing export marketing of a largely
indigenous reactor design. R&D on nuclear reactor technology in China is second to
none.



India
Indias target is to have 14.5 GWe nuclear capacity on line by 2020 as part of its
national energy policy. These reactors include light- and heavy water reactors as well as
fast reactors. Seven power reactors are under construction or almost so, of both
indigenous and foreign design, and including a 500 MWe prototype fast breeder reactor.
This will take India's ambitious thorium programme to stage 2, and set the scene for
eventual utilization of the country's abundant thorium to fuel reactors.
Russia
Russia plans to increase its nuclear capacity to 30.5 GWe by 2020, using its
world-class light water reactors. Construction of a large fast breeder unit is nearly
complete, and development proceeds on others, aiming for significant exports. An initial
floating power plant is under construction, with delivery due in 2016. Russia is active in
building and financing new nuclear power plants in several countries.
Europe
Finland and France are both expanding their fleets of nuclear power plants with
the 1650 MWe EPR from Areva, two of which are also being built in China. Several
countries in Eastern Europe are currently constructing or have firm plans to build new
nuclear power plants (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia
and Turkey).
A UK government energy paper in mid-2006 endorsed the replacement of the
countrys ageing fleet of nuclear reactors with new nuclear build, and four 1600 MWe
French units are planned for operation by 2023. The government aims to have 16 GWe
of new nuclear capacity operating by 2030.
Sweden has abandoned its plans to prematurely decommission its nuclear
power, and is now investing heavily in life extensions and uprates. Hungary, Slovakia
and Spain are all implementing or planning for life extensions on existing plants.
Germany agreed to extend the operating lives of its nuclear plants, reversing an earlier
intention to shut them down, but has again reversed policy following the Fukushima
accident.
Poland is developing a nuclear program, with 6000 MWe planned. Estonia and Latvia are
involved in a joint project with established nuclear power producer Lithuania. Belarus
has started construction of its first Russian reactor, and a second is due to follow.
United States
In the USA, there are five reactors under construction, four of them new AP1000
designs. One of the reasons for the hiatus in new build in the USA to date has been the
extremely successful evolution in maintenance strategies. Over the last 15 years,
changes have increased utilization of US nuclear power plants, with the increased
output corresponding to 19 new 1000 MW plants being built.
South America
Argentina and Brazil both have commercial nuclear reactors generating
electricity, and additional reactors are under construction. Chile has a research reactor
in operation and has the infrastructure and intention to build commercial reactors.
South Korea
South Korea has plans or placed orders for 12 new nuclear power reactors. It is
also involved in intense research on future reactor designs.
SE Asia
Vietnam intends to have it first nuclear power plant operating about 2023 with
Russian help and a second soon after with Japanese input. Indonesia and Thailand are
planning nuclear power programs.
South Asia
Bangladesh has approved a Russian proposal to build its first nuclear power
plant. Pakistan with Chinese help is building three small reactors and preparing to build
two large ones near Karachi.
Central Asia
Kazakhstan with its abundance of uranium is working closely with Russia in
planning development of small new reactors for its own use and export.
Middle East
The United Arab Emirates is building the first two of four 1450 MWe South
Korean reactors at a cost of over $20 billion and is collaborating closely with IAEA and
experienced international firms. Irans first power reactor is in operation, and more are
planned.
Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt are also moving towards employing nuclear
energy for power and desalination.
Africa
South Africa is committed to plans for further conventional nuclear power
reactors.
Nigeria has sought the support of the International Atomic Energy Agency to develop
plans for two 1000 MWe reactors.
New countries
In September 2012 the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expected
seven newcomer countries to launch nuclear programs in the near term. It did not name
these, but Lithuania, UAE, Turkey, Belarus, Vietnam, Poland, and Bangladesh appear
likely candidates. Others had stepped back from commitment, needed more time to set
up infrastructure, or did not have credible finance.