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The Westinghouse AP600 isn't just an advanced nuclear power plant-- it represents a new way of doing business that addresses the needs of the new utility environment. The AP600 is helping to change the way the world views construction of new nuclear power plants.
It is crucial that new nuclear power plants be easier and less expensive to build, operate, and maintain. The AP600 requires 50% fewer valves, 80% less safety grade piping, 70% less control cable, 35% fewer pumps (no safety grade pumps), and 45% less seismic building volume than other conventional reactors.
Westinghouse commercial nuclear power plants have an excellent safety record. There are more plants safely operating with Westinghouse technology than any other kind. The safety of these operating plants is achieved by substantial amounts of complex, redundant emergency equipment that requires electrical power and occasional operator actions. These are referred to as active safety features. The AP600 achieves safety by relying on the forces of nature, such as gravity, natural circulation, convection, evaporation, and condensation. By relying on these forces, there is no need for complex active systems and operator actions.
Economics Driven by Simplification-- Not Size Simplification helps to reduce capital costs and provides a hedge against regulatory driven operating and maintenance costs by eliminating equipment which is subject to regulation. The AP600's capital cost for a twin unit station is expected to be about 15% less than for conventional twin 600 MWe unit stations. Projected operating and maintenance costs are 35% less than the current industry average. Economic performance driven by simplicity rather than scale allows generating companies to add capacity in AP600's smaller increments that more closely match demand growth.
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