Determination of Nuclear Power Plant Key Energy Efficiency Indicators

To date, a capacity factor (CF), an availability factor (AF), and conventional nuclear fuel rate (CNFR) are actively used in the Russian Federation to analyze the NPP efficiency. However, by using these indicators, it is difficult to assess the energy efficiency of nuclear power facility (NPF) operation. The purpose of the study is to determine key universal indicators for assessing the NPP energy efficiency. The work is based on the following regulatory documents: ISO 50001 2012, Order of the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation No. 952 dated September 12, 2016, MU (Guidelines) 1.2.1.16.0104-2012, MT (Procedure) 1.3.3.99.0128-2012, as well as the public reporting documents of State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom. The following key NPP energy efficiency indicators are defined: instantaneous and total equivalent fuel rate (EFR) for electricity generation at an NPP. The instantaneous EFR can only be used to compare the operational energy efficiency of similar power units or the same unit before and after modernization, refurbishment, etc. The total EFR is used in a wider range: to analyze the operational efficiency of various NPP power units and to compare an NPP with a thermal power plant (TPP). The total EFR values for NPPs equipped with pressurized water reactors (VVER) for the period from 2016 to 2022 are calculated. It has been shown that the total EFR values evaluated for the period presented had been reduced significantly (had become closer to the EFR of TPPs), which testifies that a large number of measures to optimize the NPPs have been taken.