Taking severe accidents into account in the design of the European Pressurized Water Reactor (EPR)

摘要

The design of the EPR (European Pressurized water Reactor), developed jointly by the French and German nuclear industries, follows an evolutionary approach that capitalizes on the considerable operating experience already acquired in the two countries. This fundamental choice conforms to the recommendations of the French and German nuclear safety authorities in their document, "Proposals for a Common Safety Approach for Future Pressurized Water Reactors." The EPR's development objectives are to offer utilities a product that: 1. is economically competitive with other electrical energy production sources and with competing nuclear reactor models, 2. presents greater operating comfort (operating flexibility, fuel management, availability, maintenance, and radiological protection), and 3. corresponds to still more demanding safety standards than those for the reactors now in use.