atw Vol. 63 (2018) | Issue 8/9 ı August/September
ENERGY POLICY, ECONOMY AND LAW 438
site. This technology has been known since the 1960s: for
instance, the U.S. floating nuclear power plant Sturgis was
used for ten years to provide energy to the Panama Canal
in case of a threat of an intentional failure of the groundbased
power supply system, but it was decommissioned in
1976. To date, despite the existence of many similar developments
in the world, the Akademik Lomonosov is the only
floating power unit in the world, which gives uniqueness
to the Russian project.
The FPU is equipped with two KLT-40S icebreaker-type
reactors with a capacity of 35 MW each – together they are
able to produce up to 70 MW of electricity and 50 Gcal/h
of heat energy in the nominal operating mode, which is
enough to support the life of a city with a population of
about 100 thousand people. In addition to the floating
power unit itself, the structure of the FNPP project 20870
includes hydrotechnical facilities that provide installation
and detachment of the FPU and transfer of generated
electricity and heat to the shore, as well as onshore
facilities for transmitting this energy to external networks
for distribution to consumers. Currently, specialists are
working on the creation of this infrastructure in Pevek.
One of the main features of the project being implemented
is the placement of two reactor units in a small
hull of the vessel while preserving all the functional
characteristics of the ground-based nuclear power plant
with fewer maintenance personnel. At the same time, the
highest reliability and safety of operation is provided with
no environmental impact.
The floating power unit is supposed to have a lifespan
of from 35 to 40 years. For its operation, low-enriched
uranium will be used, and spent fuel will be accumulated
on the platform itself. Once every three years, fuel will be
reloaded, with the average annual duration of the reactor
refuelling not exceeding 60 days. In addition, on an annual
basis, scheduled shutdowns will be carried out at the plant
for routine maintenance, the average annual duration of
which will be no more than 20 days.
In designing the Akademik Lomonosov, priority was
given to such aspect as the safety of its operation. The
technological solution for the design components of the
FNPP is based on the tried and tested reference technology
used on nuclear icebreakers since 1988. The icebreakers
Taimyr and Vaigach were used as prototypes – their reactor
units have operated without fail for several decades in
the most difficult conditions of the Arctic. At the same
time, it should be noted that the technologies of the reactor
facilities for the icebreaking fleet are constantly being
improved and have made a qualitative step forward since.
This development is taking into account the fact that
increasingly high demands are being placed on nuclear
safety in the world.
Energy Policy, Economy and Law
Akademik Lomonosov: Preparations for Premiere in Full Swing ı Roman Martinek