Romania has a successful past when it comes to nuclear energy, and the Cernavoda power plant is one of the nuclear power plants with the best capacity factors in the world and with an impeccable past in terms of safety, declared in April 2024 Mariano Grossi, the head of AIEA (International Agency for Atomic Energy, the Global Nuclear Body).
April 17, 1996 was officially inaugurated the Cernavoda Nuclearoelectric power station, by putting into operation the first reactor, being the first central of its kind in Eastern Europe-a Candu type technology was chosen (CANadian Dsummer Uranium 600-Pressurized Heavy Water Rector), of Canadian conception.The reactor, which uses heavy water as a moderator and cooling agent, and as a fuel - natural uranium, reached the first criticism (initiating the fission reaction) on April 16, 1996.
The works of completing the unit no.1 have been run since 1991 under the direction and responsibility of the AAC consortium, constituted in 1990 between Ansaldo - Italy and Aecl - Canada, a press release at the time of the first reactor recalled.The two companies have been involved in the Cernavoda project since the early 1980s through design, supply, technology and technical assistance contracts, concluded at that time with the Ministry of Energy in Romania.The Cernavoda project is the most important accomplishment in the energy sector in the countries of Eastern Europe and, at the same time, the most relevant managerial and technical assistance initiative to ensure a level of security in the nuclear sector according to the international regulations and with the directives of AIEA Vienna.
In 2007 he entered into commercial operation and unit 2, made on the basis of a work management contract concluded in 2003 with Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. and Ansaldo-Italy.The uranium loading of the reactor began on February 15, 2007, and on May 6, the reactor 2 reached criticism.Unit 2 was connected to the national energy system in early August, and on September 6, 2007 it began to operate at 100% of the capacity.
- Thermal power 2062 MW (T)
- Brute Electric Power 706.5 MW (s)
- Consumption internal services <8%
- Number of fuel channels 380
- Number of loops 2
- Number of steam generators 4
- Pressure (D2O) in primary circuit 9.89 MPa
- Temperature at the exit of primary circuit 310o C
- Saturated steam pressure (H2O) 4.6 MPa
- Food water temperature 187,20O C
The Candu reactor consumes natural uranium, using heavy water of nuclear purity (isotopic content over 99.75% D2O) as a moderator and cooling agent, in two independent, separate systems.
In the 4 steam generators, the heat in the primary circuit is taken over by the light water in the secondary circuit, by transforming into saturated steam.It relaxes in the turbine formed by a medium pressure body and 3 low pressure bodies, producing the mechanical energy needed to act with the electric generator.
When leaving the turbine, by extracting the residual heat with the help of cooling water taken from the Danube, the steam is condensed.The circuit is resumed by recording condensation for supplying steam generators.
The electricity produced annually by units 1 and 2 Cernavoda represents about 20% of the production of total electricity of Romania.
The choice of Candu technology considered:
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The remarkable reputation, internationally recognized for the performances achieved from the point of view of nuclear security and environmental protection systems (minimal ecological impact);
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Achieving the energy independence of the country (having its own resources of natural uranium - combustible, heavy water - moderator and cooling agent, can be produced in the country);
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The possibilities of the Romanian industry to assimilate most of the necessary equipment in production;
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The location of the boiler (the geological structure of the soil, the cooling source - the Danube - Black Sea, the degree of low seismicity of the Dobrogea region);
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Panoramic view of the site/ focus platform on unit 1;
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Delivery in the national energy system of 700 MW (representing 10% of the national energy consumption);
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The production of electricity in Candu type nuclearoelectric power stations allows to achieve competitive costs in relation to other technologies, as well as the transition to other fuel cycles in the case of increasing the price of natural uranium.
About the refurbishment of unit 1 - at the Romatom General Assembly of March 15, 2024