Large Release Frequency: <10-7/y <a href="#CDF2">*</a>
Development completion
The project for a new and optimized NPP based on the AES-2006 design was launched in 2009 in the framework of the AES-2006M project. The main objective of this project was to merge the AES-2006 designs into a single, standardized design with optimized safety features and an improved economic efficiency. Since 2010 the project has been renamed as AES-2010 and is also referred as VVER-TOI. The VVER-TOI design directly evolves from the AES-2006/V-392M of which it takes the overall configuration and main options but with the following design modifications aiming at simplifying the design and decreasing its costs in order to become (according to Rosatom) competitive with western reactor models:
Increase of the net electric power to about 1170 MWe (+8%)
Simplification of the active safety systems into a two-train architecture
Reduction of the number of RCCAs to 94 (vs 121 in AES-2006/V-392M)
Optimization of the passive safety systems to increase their autonomy (without operator action) to 72 hours.
New RPV steel for increased lifetime (>60 years)
The basic design of VVER-TOI was officially completed at the end of 2012.
Licensing
Russia:
Safety report was submitted to the Russian Safety Authority (Rostekhnadzor) in December 2012.
Construction licenses for unit 1 and 2 of the Kursk II NPP were granted on June 3 and October 14, 2016.
IAEA: A Generic Reactor Safety Review (GRSR) of the VVER-TOI design was conducted in 2014, to check the consistency of the model with IAEA standards. 99% IAEA requirements were evaluated as satisfied or partially satisfied
EUR: The VVER-TOI certification application was submitted to the EUR organization in 2012. The review of the application started end of 2015 and should be completed in 2019.
Targeted Market
Russia:
VVER-TOI is expected to be the new standard design for VVER (PWR) construction in Russia following the completion of Novovoronezh II and Leningrad II projects.
First VVER-TOI construction were initially planned for Nizhny Novgorod, Kursk II and Smolensk II project with construction start in 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively. First concrete was finally poured at Kursk-1 on April 29, 2018. As of June 2018, construction of Smolensk II and Nizhny Novgorod is postponed after 2022.
Turkey: The design selected for the Akkuyu power plant will be an AES-2006 model (1200 MW) but with selected VVER-TOI options
India: Russia has offered the VVER-TOI design for the third and fourth units of the Kudankulam project.
Other targeted markets:South Africa, Bengladesh
Plant Construction
Russia:
First concrete was poured at Kursk-1 on April 29, 2018.
Construction of Smolensk II and Nizhny Novgorod is postponed after 2022.
Ongoing Activities
Beyond the development of the VVER-TOI, Rosatom is working on several projects aiming at improving / evolving the current VVER range
VVER-1300A: Presented as a cheaper version of the VVER-TOI, this model is based on a 2-loop architecture (2 PGV1300A Steam Generators) allowing a reduced containment diameter. A 2-loop 600 MWe VVER, based on current VVER-1200 SGs is also under development. A 600 MWe (VVER-600/V-498) model (2-loop) is also studied. It will feature AES-2006 SGs and RCPs.
VVER1800: a high power version of the VVER-1300A, based on a 3-loop design (with 3 PGV1300A SGs).
VVER-S: a model with spectral regulation allowing a better fuel utilization.
VVER-I-200: a small modular reactors with integral steam generators
Recent events
Russia:
Kursk II
Dec 10, 2018: Work starts on unit 2 foundation plate
Nov 13, 2018: Installation of the core catcher at Kursk II-1
April 29, 2018: First concrete was poured at Kursk II-1
April 16, 2018: AEM-technology manufactured the bottom of the reactor vessel for unit 1 of Kursk II
Feb 19, 2018: Atomenergomash started manufacturing equipment for unit 1 of Kursk II
October 14, 2016: Rostechnadzor granted a construction license for unit 2 of the Kursk II NPP
June 3, 2016: Rostechnadzor granted a construction license for unit 1 of the Kursk II NPP
May 31, 2016: Rostechnadzor granted a resolution to issue the license construction for Kursk Phase II.
Smolensk II
June 14, 2017: Government allocates land for the construction of Smolensk Phase II
May 2015: Rosatom postponed by 5 years construction of Smolensk Phase II
Assessment
Strengths
Turnkey experience outside Russia
Aggressive financing and historical ties with eastern European countries
Nuclear industry reorganization underway, with integrated offer capability
Improved design from AES-2006 (VVER-1200)
Passive safety systems with alternate heat sink to cope with Station Black-Out scenarios.
No operator action required before 72 hours
Weaknesses
Still a paper reactor. Although it evolves from the AES-2006/V392M, this new model features several differences that make it a first-of-a-kind on many aspects
New Russian digital I&C: while current VVER models make use of western digital I&C (in particular from AREVA), the VVER-TOI will be the first to be equipped with a Russian designed safety I&C.
Defense-in-depth strategy:
The simplification of the active safety systems (less redundancy) may weaken the DiD strategy.
Some DEC-B systems are also credited for DBC situations
No dedicated AC power supplies for Severe Accident mitigation systems
<a name="_ftn1" id="CDF2" href="#CDF">*</a>Advertized value � no detailed information
