energy complex of Ukraine will include four nuclear power plants.One of the existing and today - the South Ukrainian nuclear power plant.
nuclear power as part of the energy complex
nuclear power plant is part of the South-Ukrainian energy sector.When creating a complex project it was envisaged that it will provide electricity to three regions of Ukraine - Nikolaev, Kherson, Odessa, and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.In addition to the nuclear power plant, the complex includes HPP (hydroelectric power) and PSP (Pumping station).
use of three types of enterprises allows to develop cost-optimized energy.At the time of the recession of consumption (mostly at night) units hydroelectric stations operate in the mode of pumps, pumping water upstream, and in moments of peak demand (in the evening) - mode of turbines, giving the network additionally generated electricity.Nuclear and hydro while running in quiet mode, without a peak discharge power that is dangerous for the turbines.Pronounced load peaks specific to this southern region of Ukraine, so it was designed a new kind of energy complex of the type of European working successfully.
plant construction and technical parameters
Area, where the South Ukrainian nuclear power plants, selected in the Mykolaiv region.In 1975, it began construction of the station and the satellite city of Yuzhnoukrainsk.Since 1982, in turn were put three millionth unit.The construction of the fourth unit was frozen in 1989, and the question of its construction is no longer rising.
NPP "South Ukraine" has been working on the VVER-1000 reactors.They were made in Leningrad, in the enterprise "Izhora Plants".Manufacturers of turbines, generators and reactor units were enterprises of Leningrad and Kharkov.
At full capacity, a nuclear power plant came in 1989.Today, nuclear power generation capacity (almost 18 billion kWh / year) is enough to provide 10% of all electricity consumption in Ukraine.For areas of the Mykolaiv, Kherson and Odessa - this is almost 96%.Of installed capacity (3,000 MW) nuclear power plant "South Ukraine" - the second after the Zaporozhye in Ukraine.
situation with fuel elements (cartridges)
source of nuclear fuel for all nuclear power plants in Ukraine (including the nuclear power plant "South Ukraine") were (and remain) fuel rods manufactured at the GC "TVEL" in Russia.They are the nuclear reaction takes place with the release of heat transferred to the coolant.
Since 2000, Ukraine is trying to change the monopolistic delivery of Russian nuclear fuel, signed a contract with the "Westinghouse Electric" (USA).
platform for experimental works was chosen South Ukrainian nuclear power plant.US fuel cassettes were installed on all three power units as a partial replacement of the Russian TVEL.
in 2012 revealed damage to American fuel assemblies in the third block.Operating elements of the first and second unit continues.
For the period since 2000, the company "Westinghouse Electric" were transferred to two Russian TVEL, it is their likeness in the US and manufactured fuel elements for nuclear power plants "South Ukraine".
in September 2014 after the revision of all American elements in use, was extended a contract with the "Westinghouse Electric" until 2020.
GC "TVEL" is the supplier of nuclear fuel for the other three nuclear power plants in Ukraine.
under Russian contracts, disposal of spent nuclear fuel is engaged in the Russian Federation.Who will do the dumping of American assemblies, it is not clear as yet have not found the answer to the question of who is responsible for the security of a "mixed" installation of elements of nuclear reactors of NPP "South Ukraine".For reference: the Czech Republic, passed a similar path with the United States for the supply of nuclear fuel for its nuclear power plants, abandoned the idea and working on the Russian TVEL.
South Ukrainian NPP accident
In January 2015 (on the night of the 15th to the 16th) at the crossing spontaneously nuclear power transformer fire.Fire has engulfed an area of 100 square meters.The reason, according to preliminary data, served as a depressurization body, causing leakage of oil and as a result, short-circuiting.
Fortunately, after successful fire suppression measured to background radiation appeared normal.
