Tidal Current Energy

256 D. Matzner
Pelindaba and associated transport of radioactive materials has been accepted
by the South African Department of the Environment and Tourism (DEAT).
The DEAT’s acceptance of the EIA for the Koeberg demonstration module was,
however, challenged in court and overturned on the basis that the main environmental
organization opposing the project had not been afforded adequate
opportunity to make its objections known to the Department. The process is
being repeated and a revised environmental impact report will be prepared. A
new ‘ Record of Decision ’ by the DEAT is expected in 2008.
Concerning process heat applications, the PBMR in its VHTR format is the
leading contender for the next generation nuclear plant (NGNP) envisaged by
the US Department of Energy. Looking forward to a possible hydrogen economy,
the DOE has earmarked rather more than $1.1 � 10 9 for studies leading to
the creation of a plant to be built at the Idaho National Laboratory to demonstrate
commercial-scale co-generation of hydrogen and electricity. A contract has
been awarded to a consortium led by Westinghouse and including the PBMR
Company to perform initial design studies based on the PBMR. The conceptual
design study has been completed. Initial interactions with the US Nuclear
Regulatory Commission aimed at design certification are underway. Also in
North America, consideration is being given to using the PBMR for steam/
co-generation applications including extraction of liquid fuels from Canadian
tar-sands and coal-to-liquid processes.
In South Africa, Sasol already makes 30 % of all petrol and diesel fuel from
coal, and is now considering PBMR technology to drive its coal-to-liquid and
gas-to-liquid processes. Consideration is also being given to attaching a desalination
plant to the power demonstration module to be built at Koeberg.
Given regulatory approval in 2009, work on the demonstration module will
begin immediately. Fuel loading will then take place in 2013, with full-power
operation in 2014.
These are thus early days for the PBMR. It is abundantly clear, however, that
its potential contribution to meeting the world’s energy needs in difficult days
to come is considerable.
References
1. Nuclear Power and Research Reactors ( 2003 ). ORNL Review , 36 ( 1 ) .
2. Shaw , E. N. ( 1983 ). Europe’s Nuclear Power Experiment , p. 47. Pergamon Press .
3. Shaw , E. N. ( 1983 ). Europe’s Nuclear Power Experiment , p. 87. Pergamon Press .
4. Association of German Engineers (VDI) ( 1990 ). AVR – Experimental High-temperature
Reactor . VDI , Düsseldorf .
5. Schulten, R. (1993). Fortschritte in der Energietechnik . Monographien des
6.
Forchungszentrums Jülich.
Matzner, D. (2004). PBMR Project Status and the Way Ahead . 2nd International Topical
Meeting on High Temperature Reactor Technology, Beijing, China.
7. Ball, S. (2004). Sensitivity Studies of Modular High-temperature Gas-cooled Reactor
(MHTGR) Postulated Accidents . 2nd International Topical Meeting on High
Temperature Reactor Technology, Beijing, China.