After removal from service, the Ural atomic submarine could be placed in long-term storage; this is an expensive process, and the submarine would simply be a nuclear graveyard. Instead, its nuclear power plant could be used as a relatively cheap source of electric power. Within a year. it could be delivering 20 MW of power to the coastal grid. The conversion costs would be earned back after about nine months of operation.This must be regarded as an option for the conversion of the atomic fleet; its successful introduction would have a perceptible influence on the development of nuclear power.Removing atomic submarines from service in the Russian fleet involves a number of complex and expensive measures. For economic and engineering reasons, the fuel is not removed from decommissioned submarines in a timely manner; the longterm storage of such fuel in the reactors, with imperfect monitoring for nuclear and radiation safety, poses a real ecological hazard [1]. At the same time, changing geopolitical conditions and financial difficulties have led to the withdrawal from service of submarines with fully operational nuclear power plants that still contain fuel accounting for 70-80% of their original energy reserves. In the far-eastern region and at Kamchatka. these submarines are based in areas with extremely poor energy resources; the lack of heat and power in these areas has serious human consequences.Atomic power plants on submarines have sometimes been used to supply power to coastal consumers at bases far from other power sources. When complex meteorological conditions (hurricanes, snowstorms) have interrupted power deliveries, with a real threat to the well-being of base personnel, temporary connection of submarine power plants to the coastal grid has provided heat and electricity and made conditions more endurable until normal power supplies could be restored.However, in almost all nuclear submarines, the power plant is responsible for the motion of the ship and cannot supply more than 2-2.5 MW of electric power for coastal consumers (5 MW in the case of a two-reactor unit, taking account of the submarine's internal needs). The use of these power plants as a constant source of electrical energy would require considerable costs for modernization to meet the relevant nuclear and radiational safety standards. In addition, a large number of operational and maintenance personnel are required for relatively low power output. For that reason, submarine power plants can only be used as sources of electrical power in situations where cost is not the primary consideration.An exception is the Ural submarine, based at Primor'e. The power unit of this submarine would supply 20 MW of power for 3.5-4 years without reloading the active zone and with minor modifications associated mainly with organizing the transmission of electricity to the shore. If the active zones were recharged, the submarine could supply electricity for 16-20 years.The Ural power unit already generates considerable electric power, which currently supplies ...
