Summary of the EPD

EPD ® Ringhals
Nuclear
Power Plant
Summary of certified Environmental
Product Declaration EPD ® of Electricity
from Ringhals Nuclear Power Plant
S-P-00026

S-P-00026
2010-02-16
Vattenfall AB
Summary of certified Environmental Product Declaration EPD ®
of Electricity from Ringhals Nuclear Power Plant
UNCPC Code 17, Group 171 – Electrical energy
2 ©2011 Vattenfall AB, EPD Ringhals

Producer
Ringhals AB (RAB) is responsible for the electricity
generation in the Ringhals nuclear power plants north
of Varberg at the Swedish East coast. Ringhals AB is
owned to 70,4% by Vattenfall AB, SE–162 87 Stockholm,
telephone +46 8 739 50 00. Ringhals AB has
an environmental management system certified and
registered according to ISO 14001/EMAS and OHAS
18001/AFS 2001:1.
Product and declared unit
Electricity belongs to the product category UNCPC
Code 17, Group 171 – Electrical energy. The nuclear
power plant (NPP) comprised of one Boiling Water
Reactor (BWR) and three pressurized-water reactors
(PWR) of together app. 3707 MW generates an average
year 24,7 TWh. The reactors are of type generation
II and a once-through fuel cycle is applied i.e.
no reprocessing of fuel. Ringhals NPP is a base load
plant. The declared unit is 1 kWh electricity net generated
and thereafter distributed to a customer connected
to the Swedish regional grid (70/130 kV).
Environmental performance –
based on LCA
See section 3 of the complete EPD ® documentation.
System boundaries
The EPD ® comprises the generation of electricity
in the nuclear power plant, Upstream processes i.e.
uranium fuel production and production of auxiliary
supplies and Downstream processes i.e. distribution of
electricity. Further construction and dismantling of the
nuclear power plant and the facilities for radioactive
waste handling has been included, Core-Infrastructure.
The use stage of electricity at the consumer is
not included. The technical lifetime is 50 years.
The complete certified declaration also contains
descriptions of environmental risks, ionizing radiation
issues and impacts on biodiversity in accordance with
the EPD ® system instructions.
The EPD ® system
The EPD ® system managed by the International EPD ®
Consortium (IEC) is based on ISO 14025, Type III
Environmental Declarations. The relevant governing
documents in hierarchical order are: PCR-CPC17,
version 1.1 General Programme Instructions for an
environmental product declaration, EPD ® , version 1.0,
ISO 14025, ISO 14040, ISO 14044.
©2011 Vattenfall AB, EPD Ringhals
3

Environmental information
A short summary of compiled data is presented below
per generated and distributed kWh electricity. The results
are presented in the following lifecycle modules.
Upstream
Core
Core – infrastructure
Mining & milling, conversion, enrichment and fabrication of nuclear fuel.
Production of auxiliary substances and chemicals for NPP and radioactive
waste handling.
Operation of NPP and facilities for handling radioactive waste. Incineration
or deposit of conventional waste from operations.
Construction and decommissioning of power plant and radioactive waste
facilities, including necessary reinvestments.
Downstream
Operation of electricity networks, i.e. emissions from inspection trips, production
and emissions of oils. Extra generation in NPP to compensate for
losses in distribution system.
Downstream
– infrastructure
Construction and decommissioning of the transmission grid and distribution
networks.
Distribution of electricity implies losses, which must
be compensated by increased generation. The loss to
an average large industrial customer connected to the
regional distribution network (70/130 kV) amounts to
3% (included in the downstream column below). The
losses are different for different types of customers
and often higher in the countryside. The average loss
to a household customer varies between 7–9%.
Ecoprofile
Input
Resource
Unit/
kWh
Upstream
Total –
generated
Core Core –
infrastructure
Downstream
1
Downstream
– infrastructure
Total –
distributed
Copper in ore g 9,7∙10 -3 1,5∙10 -5 2,3∙10 -3 1,2∙10 -2 3,6∙10 -4 6,8∙10 -3 1,9∙10 -2
Fossil energy resources kWh 1,5∙10 -2 7,8∙10 -4 1,8∙10 -3 1,8∙10 -2 7,5∙10 -4 5,0∙10 -3 2,3∙10 -2
Gravel, stone and sand g 1,4∙10 -1 1,0 7,1 8,3 2,5∙10 -1 5,7∙10 -7 8,6
Iron in ore g 1,5∙10 -1 1,5∙10 -3 2,0∙10 -1 3,5∙10 -1 1,1∙10 -2 6,4∙10 -1 1,0
Limestone g 2,5∙10 -1 3,8∙10 -3 1,8∙10 -1 4,3∙10 -1 1,3∙10 -2 2,9∙10 -1 7,3∙10 -1
Potential energy of water through
kWh 2,4∙10 -3 7,4∙10 -4 4,6∙10 -4 3,6∙10 -3 1,1∙10 -4 1,9∙10 -4 3,9∙10 -3
hydro turbines 2
Renewable fuel kWh 2,8∙10 -5 1,4∙10 -4 8,4∙10 -5 2,6∙10 -4 7,7∙10 -6 2,6∙10 -4
Soil g 2,2 2,2 6,6∙10 -2 2,3
Uranium in ore 3 g 2,4∙10 -2 1,6∙10 -5 1,3∙10 -5 2,4∙10 -2 7,2∙10 -4 2,5∙10 -6 2,5∙10 -2
Zirconium sand g 2,0∙10 -3 2,4∙10 -10 4,0∙10 -10 2,0∙10 -3 6,1∙10 -5 1,1∙10 -9 2,1∙10 -3
Electricity use in the power plant 4 kWh 4,8∙10 -2 4,8∙10 -2 1,4∙10 -3 4,9∙10 -2
Water, different sources g 1,1∙10 4 4,8∙10 1 1,0∙10 1 1,1∙10 4 3,4∙10 2 1,9∙10 1 1,2∙10 4
Input of material from the technosphere
(agglomeration of app. 40 substances)
g 8,2∙10 -3 2,6∙10 -4 3,5∙10 -4 8,8∙10 -3 3,6∙10 -4 3,6∙10 -4 9,5∙10 -3
1
Distribution losses of 3% of generated electricity are
included in the Downstream column.
2
Hydropower is reported as used potential energy (1 kWh
hydro electricity = 1,14 kWh potential energy).
3
Uranium used as fuel in NPP is presented in more detail
below the Ecoprofile.
4
It is assumed that this electricity is generated by the NPP
itself. The environmental impact is accounted for since
this amount of electricity has been subtracted from the
refeence flow.
5
High-level radioactive waste from electricity generation in
upstream processes is assumed to be further processed
and is not classified as waste in the generic data.
6
Final deposition of 1 ton radioactive demolition waste is
assumed to require 1 m 3 of underground deposit.
7
Spent fuel includes the complete fuel assemblies that has
been in the reactor core.
4 ©2011 Vattenfall AB, EPD Ringhals

Ecoprofile
Output
Greenhouse gases
Pollutant emissions
Unit
/kWh
g CO2-
equiv.
(100years)
Ozone Depletion Potential g R-11
equiv. (20
years)
Acidifcation Potential
Photochem. Ozone Creation Potential
g SO2-
equiv.
g Etheneequiv.
Upstream
Total
generated
Core Core –
infrastructure
Downstream
1
Downstream
– infrastructure
Total –
distributedrad
4,6 3,3∙10 -1 7,2∙10-1 5,6 3,1∙10 -1 1,2 7,1
2,4∙10 -6 2,7∙10 -8 2,9∙10 -8 2,5∙10 -6 8,1∙10 -8 3,8∙10 -8 2,6∙10 -6
4,1∙10 -2 1,5∙10 -3 3,9∙10 -3 4,7∙10 -2 1,5∙10 -3 4,9∙10 -3 5,3∙10 -2
4,1∙10 -3 5,3∙10 -4 5,6∙10 -4 5,2∙10 -3 2,2∙10 -4 1,1∙10 -3 6,5∙10 -3
Eutrophication Potential
g Phosphateequiv.
3,6∙10 -3 2,9∙10 -4 5,1∙10 -4 4,4∙10 -3 1,5∙10 -4 8,5∙10 -4 5,4∙10 -3
C-14 to air kBq 2,3∙10 -5 3,8∙10 -2 1,6∙10 -5 3,8∙10 -2 1,1∙10 -3 4,5∙10 -6 3,9∙10 -2
Kr-85 to air kBq 4,0∙10 -6 1,6∙10 -2 2,3∙1 0-7 1,6∙10 -2 4,7∙10 -4 1,3∙10 -6 1,6∙10 -2
Rn-222 to air kBq 1,2∙10 -1 1,2∙10 -2 7,2∙10 -3 1,4∙10 -1 4,2∙10 -3 1,9∙10 -3 1,4∙10 -1
Particulate matter to air g 8,7∙10 -3 1,7∙10 -4 7,0∙10 -4 9,5∙10 -3 3,0∙10 -4 6,4∙10 -3 1,6∙10 -2
Polyaromatic hydrocarbons g 3,2∙10 -6 1,6∙10 -8 1,0∙10 -7 3,4∙10 -6 1,1∙10 -7 1,2∙10 -7 3,6∙10 -6
Ecoprofile
Output
Other information
Unit
/kWh
Upstream
Total
generated
Core Core –
infrastructure
Downstream
1
Downstream
– infrastructure
Total –
distributedrad
Hazardous waste
Hazardous waste to deposit g 3,7∙10 -2 3,6∙10 -3 4,7∙10 -4 4,1∙10 -2 1,2∙10 -3 4,3∙10 -2
Hazardous waste to incineration g 1,2∙10 -4 2,2∙10 -2 2,2∙10 -2 6,5∙10 -4 2,2∙10 -2
Depleted uranium as UF 6
g 3,1∙10- 2 3,1∙10 -2 9,4∙10 -4 3,2∙10 -2
Radioactive waste
Volume of deposit for high-level radioactive
m 3 6,8∙10 -9 6,8∙10 -9 2,0∙10 -10 7,0∙10 -9
5
waste
Volume of deposit for medium-level
radioactive waste
Volume of deposit for low-level radioactive
waste
m 3 6,8∙10 -10 6,8∙10 -10 2,0∙10- 11 7,0∙10 -10
m 3 5,4∙10 -10 1,7∙10 -8 5,4∙10 -10 1,8∙10 -8 5,4∙10 -10 6,5∙10 -12 1,9∙10 -8
Volume for final deposit for radioactive m 3 2,0∙10 -8 2,0∙10 -8 6,1∙10 -10 2,1∙10 -8
demolition waste 6
Low-level radioactive waste without
further treatment
g 4,3∙10 1 2,0∙10 -6 4,3∙10 1 1,3 4,4∙10 1
Spent fuel 7 g 4,5∙10 -3 4,5∙10 -3 1,4∙10 -4 4,6∙10 -3
Uranium in spent fuel g 3,1∙10 -3 3,1∙10 -3 9,4∙10 -5 3,2∙10 -3
Waste to recycling
Aluminium g 4,6∙10 -4 3,0∙10 -4 7,6∙10 -4 2,3∙10 -5 7,9∙10 -4
Crushed concrete g 6,9∙10 -1 6,9∙10 -1 2,1∙10 -2 7,1∙10 -1
Copper scrap g 1,3∙10 -2 1,1∙10 -4 2,3∙10 -3 1,5∙10 -2 4,5∙10 -4 1,6∙10 -2
Lead scrap g 1,6∙10 -3 1,6∙10 -3 4,8∙10 -5 1,7∙10 -3
Steel scrap g 1,8∙10 -2 2,8∙10 -2 9,0∙10 -2 1,4∙10 -1 4,1∙10 -3 1,4∙10 -1
Other waste to recycling g 4,9∙10 -4 1,1∙10 -1 1,1∙10 -3 1,1∙10 -1 3,4∙10 -3 1,2∙10 -1
Waste to deposit g 4,3∙10 1 1,7∙10 -1 1,4 4,5∙10 1 1,3 4,6∙10 1
Waste to incineration g 4,2∙10 -2 3,8∙10 -2 8,0∙10 -2 2,4∙10 -3 8,2∙10 -2
Waste water g 2,7∙10 1 4,4∙10 -2 2,7∙10 1 8,0∙10 -1 2,8∙10 1
©2011 Vattenfall AB, EPD Ringhals
5

The uranium needed in Ringhals per generated kWh is
tracked back to the mine, and losses and wastes are
shown in the figure below.
Mine
Ore
58,9g
Mill
Uranium
0,0239g
Refinery &
Conversion
Uranium
0,0239g
Waste
rock
Other products:
copper, gold etc
Uranium
loss

Safety, barriers and radiation
The nuclear power industry is strictly regulated and
closely monitored by authorities. The operator of a
NPP is the owner of and responsible for the nuclear
fuel from mining to final repository. In addition to strict
design criteria including redundant control systems
there are safety considerations at three levels. See
section 4.3 of the complete EPD ® documentation.
Ionizing radiation from radioactive substances is
harmful to living tissue. An individual in Sweden is exposed
to an average dose of 4,5 mSv/year. The extra
dose to personnel at facilities in the nuclear fuel cycle
is measured and calculated. See section 4.4 of the
complete EPD ® documentation.
Annual dose-to-personnel Pre-NPP NPP Post-NPP
Average individual mSv 0,03-3,4 1,8 0-1,5
Average individual per kWh mSv/kWh 7,2∙10 -12 7,3∙10 -11 < 6,1∙10 -11 7
Environmental risk assessment
The conclusion is that over a longer period of time, the
emissions due to undesired events are considerably
smaller than those emanating from normal operation.
See chapter 4.5 of the complete EPD ® documentation.
Noise
Maximum level at the NPP gate: 43 dBA at the closest
inhabitation.
Information from the
Certification Body and
mandatory statements
General
To be noted: EPDs from different EPD ® programmes
may not be comparable. When comparisons are made
between different products in this product category it
should be noted that energy can be supplied through
different energy carriers like heat/steam or electricity,
but the amount of kWh needed will differ with different
energy carries due to different energy quality and
conversion/distribution efficiencies.
Omissions of life cycle stages
The use stage of produced electricity has been omitted
in accordance with the PCR since the use of electricity
fulfils various functions in different contexts.
Means of obtaining explanatory materials
ISO 14025 prescribes that explanatory material must
be available if the EPD ® is communicated to final
consumers. This EPD ® is aimed for industrial customers
and not meant for B2C (=business to consumer)
communication.
Information on verification
The certification of the environmental product declaration,
EPD ® , of electricity from Ringhals Nuclear
Power Plant has been carried out by Bureau Veritas
Certification (BVC), which confirms that the product
fulfils relevant process- and product-related laws and
regulations. The EPD ® has been made in accordance
with General Programme Instructions for an international
EPD ® system for environmental product declaration,
2008-02-29 ver. 1.0, published by the International
EPD Consortium (IEC)) and PCR-CPC17 version
1.1 (Product Category Rules (PCR) for preparing an
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD ® ) for Electricity,
Steam, and Hot and Cold Water Generation and
Distribution). BVC has been accredited by SWEDAC,
the Swedish Board for Accreditation and Conformity
Assessment, to certify Environmental Product Declarations,
EPD ® .
EPD ® programme:
The EPD ® system managed by International EPD ® Consortium (IEC) www.environdec.com
Product Category Rules:
PCR-CPC17 version 1.1
PCR review, was conducted by:
Sven-Olof Ryding, Swedish Environmental Management Council, www.environdec.com
Independent verification of the declaration and data, according to ISO 14025:
Internal External
Third party verifier:
Bureau Veritas Certification
©2011 Vattenfall AB, EPD Ringhals

Vattenfall AB
SE- 162 87 Stockholm, Sweden
Telephone: +46 8 739 50 00
For more information, please visit vattenfall.se/epd
2012, May