Possible scenarios of transition to the closed nuclear fuel cycle

Abstract

This work is devoted to the comparative analysis of various scenarios of transition to introduction of the closed nuclear fuel cycle and sodium fast reactors in nuclear power of Russia. The analysis of the permissible scale of introduction of water-water power reactors and fast sodium reactors into the Russian nuclear power system was carried out taking into account the estimated reserves of natural uranium, the expected volumes of spent nuclear fuel from both national and foreign nuclear power plants and the quantity of plutonium available for the introduction of fast sodium reactors. The rate of growth in the capacity of the nuclear power system is not yet high, the resources of natural uranium seem significant, the natural uranium mining facilities and the amount of depleted uranium have not yet been classified as encumbrances. In the current situation, the practical solution to the problems of closing the nuclear fuel cycle and transition to the trajectory of development of nuclear energy as a system that meets in the future the requirements of sustainable development and energy security can already be started with the use of mixed uranium-plutonium oxide fuel in combination with fuel from enriched regenerated uranium in existing water-water power reactors and in BN-800. This step is the most promising in terms of minimizing contradictions between the existing legal and institutional framework, allowing the development of closed fuel cycle technology and reducing the amount of spent nuclear fuel. Based on the assessment of the technical and economic characteristics of various scenarios for the long-term development of the two- component nuclear power system in Russia, several possibilities for reducing the cost of implementing the transition stage from open to closed nuclear fuel cycle.