2024-09-03 08:17:48
This is the important moment that EDF engineers and technicians have been waiting for years, of the “differentiation” of the Flamanville EPR (Manche). In other words, the beginning of the process leading to the nuclear chain reaction in the reactor and marking the beginning of its operation. It was launched on Monday September 2, a few hours after the final green light given by the Nuclear Security Authority (ASN).
“After reactor loading was completed in June, explained the operator in a press release, teams have done many technical tests and put the installation in the conditions required for the launch of nuclear fission. » It is unlikely that the final petitions of the NGOs against the destruction, submitted in July, will stop the process.
“With the exception, that is to say the “ignition” of the reactor, the most important step was taken at the start of Flamanville 3welcomes the President of the EDF group, Luc Rémont. All parties are focused on working in complete safety, in close cooperation with ASN. » Once a stable nuclear reaction is achieved at very low power, the reactor will operate at 0.2% of its rated capacity of 1,600 megawatts (MW).
Then, the tests will make it possible to reach 25%, a level where the EPR will be connected to the electricity transmission network lines to produce the current of the market. Connectivity is planned “By the end of fall 2024”three months behind schedule at the beginning of the year. “There is a lot of general testing and we have not set a date to reach full capacity”explains Régis Clément, deputy director of the nuclear production division. In addition, after eighteen months of operation, EDF will replace the boiler tank cover as a preventive measure. As early as 2015, tests revealed fragilities (excessive carbon concentration) in the steel and the operator agreed to replace this key part.
Three million house capacity
EDF has not commissioned a new reactor in France since Civaux 2 (Vienna) in 1999, the last stage of the Messmer plan, launched in 1974. After those of Taishan (China) and of Olkiluoto (Finland), Flamanville EPR will be the fourth so-called “third generation” reactor, because of its added security (two concrete shells, corium recoverer in the event of melting of the vessel, etc.). It must provide three million houses.
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