Nuclear power in Radictistan
Nuclear reactors are the predominate source of electrical energy in the Grand Duchy of Radictistan, accounting for about sixty-four percent of total electrical generation capacity. Royal Radictistan Energy currently operates seventy-nine nuclear reactors, with an additional six reactors under construction. Total system capacity is 138.75 GW. Almost all nuclear reactors presently operation in Radictistan are pressurized light water reactors (PLWR) while six of the newest reactors are liquid flouride thorium reactors (LFTR) and helium-cooled pebble-bed reactors. RRE also operates two nuclear reprocessing facilities which produce MOX fuel for use in certain PLWRs.
Radictistan's heavy reliance on nuclear energy for civilian power generation is the result of several political and economic factors. The highly centralized nature of the Radictistani state allows for the rapid implementation of national megaprojects despite occasional local opposition. Radictistan lacks sufficient petroleum reserves to meet its own needs, yet possesses ample reserves of uranium and thorium, making nuclear energy attractive strategically. Radictistan's coal deposits are largely bituminous, so burning coal for power generation is economically wasteful.
Technical Overview
Reactors
The pressurized light water reactors forming the backbone of the nuclear energy system are constructed according to a small number of standardized designs. This allows for lower initial capital costs when adding additional capacity to the system. The RR-1 type produces 950 MWe while the RR-2 and RR-3 designs produce 1100 and 1450 MWe respectively. The new RR-4 reactors under construction are rated at 1500 MWe with the possibly of future upgrades. With the exception of the RR-1 type, all of these designs can be easily modified to use MOX fuel.
Royal Radictistan Energy also operates two liquid fluoride thorium reactors at the new Evgin Selo Nuclear Power Station. These are rated at 200 MWe each for a total plant capacity of 400. These reactors are semi-experimental in nature. While they produce electricity for the national grid, their primary purpose is to gain experience in the construction and operation of molten salt reactors. Two additional LFTRs at the Altbaum Nuclear Power Station are rated at 400 MWe.
The Gottesbeck Nuclear Power Station in Eastval has two helium-cooled pebble-bed reactors with a nameplate capacity of 370 MWe each. The spherical fuel pebbles consist of uranium-235 and thorium-232 particles encased in graphite.
Power Plants
Royal Radictistan Energy currently operates thirty-two nuclear power stations, most with two reactors. The majority of these stations are located in the North and West of the country where demand for electrical power is greatest. Most plants are located along the coast or near major rivers where ample supplies of water are available for cooling and neutron moderation. A few are close enough to large urban areas to be used for cogeneration.
Fuel fabrication
Royal Radictistan Energy operates four uranium enrichment and fuel fabrication facilities.
Reprocessing
In order to improve the efficiency of the uranium fuel cycle, Royal Radictistan Energy operates two reprocessing facilities. Both operate using the PUREX method and produce plutonium and reprocessed uranium fron spent nuclear fuel which are then used to fabricate MOX fuel for use in pressurized water reactors. About one-third of all Radictistani pressurized water reactors utilize MOX fuel to some degree.
Nuclear Safety
No Radictistani reactor has suffered an accident rating higher than Level Four on the International Nuclear Event Scale (INES). Security at all Radictistani nuclear facilities is managed by the Infrastructure Protection Service of the Royal Security Police.
Public Opinion
The Radictistani public is largely in favor of continued and expanded use of nuclear energy. The construction of new nuclear plants occasionally arouses moderate local opposition, but the highly centralized nature of Radictistani governance prevents local activism from shaping public energy policy in any meaningful way. Most people understand that nuclear energy is the best choice of all available options for widespread use.