1in Taiwan
For
Sydney, 17 October 2006
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Good morning, everyone.
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a brief introduction,
nuclear power overview and safety performance of our nuclear power plants,
regulation of reactor safety,
2006: Bill awaits review by legislators
Meanwhile…
Taiwan began a nuclear-free society initiative in 2000.
The Environmental Basic Law, passed in 2002, stipulates phased approach to phasing out nuclear power, while nuclear safety remains to be utmost important.
Then in 2003, the Executive Yuan drafted a bill to enforce implementation of the nuclear-free society policy, such as fixed life-time power generation and early closure of the existing plants.
*
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“Kyoto Protocol” took effect Feb 2005
Creeping oil price; gas pipeline dispute
More leading environmentalists and policy makers realized value of nuclear power
Especially important for countries with scarce energy sources
Since the “Kyoto Protocol” took effect in February last year, compounded with creeping oil price, and the gas pipeline dispute between Russia and the Ukraine,
more and more policy makers, energy experts and leading environmentalists around the world realized that nuclear power is not only economic but cleaner and greener than other forms of power.
Furthermore, for countries with scarce energy sources, such as Taiwan, nuclear power provides a secure option for diversity of energy mix.
While the bill on realization of nuclear-free society remains to be reviewed by our legislators, high government officials and opinion leaders in Taiwan have begun to re-assess the role of nuclear power in nation’s energy policy.
*
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Reactor safety
Radiation protection
Waste management
Emergency preparedness
Environmental Monitoring
Research support by INER
The question of whether we should use nuclear power or how much nuclear power we need is a socio-economic one and should be decided based on a consensus by the society.
As the country’s nuclear safety regulator, AEC’s responsibility is to make nuclear power plants safer.
In the following sections, I will summarize some of AEC’s recent and ongoing efforts in regulating nuclear power activities in Taiwan.
I will touch upon reactor safety, radiation protection, and radwaste management;
but skip emergency preparedness and environmental monitoring.
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NPP Safety Performance
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Chinshan 1st NPP: GE BWR4x2
Kuosheng 2nd NPP: GE BWR6x2
Maanshan 3rd NPP: WH PWRX2
Electricity from nuclear in 2005: 17.6%
Lungmen NPS is under construction: GE ABWRX2
Operation expected in 2009
In Taiwan, over 98% of energy sources were imported for year 2005.
We have three operating nuclear power plants run by the state-owned utility Taiwan Power Company (TPC or Taipower).
Two GE BWR4 reactors at Chinshan, two BWR6 untis at Kuosheng, and two Westinghouse PWR units at Maanshan.
In 2005, these three plants contributed a share of 17.6% to the total electricity production, and a share of 11.9% to the total installed capacity.
(Note: Nuclear share of the installed capacity is 21.4% in 1995.)
*
*
Average C/F: 88.7%
The overall safety performance of nuclear power plants is continuously maintained at a high level of standards.
The average capacity factor for all six units over the past decade has increased steadily from 76.2% in 1993 to 88.7% in 2005.
Kuosheng unit 1 and Maanshan unit 1 are also on the list of top 50 units by capacity factor in the world.
The annual average number of abnormal events per unit was 1.5,
*
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Kousheng-1 & 2:
Maanshan-2:
shortest refueling outage of 33.5 days in TPC’s history
Among these remarkable achievements, Chinshan unit 1 (with an 18-month refueling cycle) has set a record of 538 days continuous operation.
Both Kousheng Units 1 and 2 have not encountered any automatic scram for three consecutive years.
And at Maanshan unit 2, Taipower has conducted a shortest refueling outage of 33.5 days in its overhaul maintenance history.
*
*
Lungmen-1 RPV installed on 21 Mar 2005.
Lungmen-2 RPV installed on 5 Oct 2006.
Commercial Operation:
July 2009 for Lungmen-1
July 2010 for Lungmen-2
As for the construction of Lungmen plant, despite numerous difficulties resulting in significant delays, the project is standing tough and moving firmly forwards.
Construction of the two ABWR units are now at 58% completion by end of August.
(reflecting a major adjustment of investment due to the 5-year delay – in the paper, we reported 63.75% completion by end of 2005)
*
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Reactor Safety
For regulatory activities on reactor safety, I would briefly mention a couple of AEC’s proactive measures for enhancing reactor safety.
()
Performance indicators (PI’s) by TPC
Inspection findings by AEC
Initiating events ( 3 PI’s )
Mitigating systems ( 5 PI’s )
Barrier integrity ( 2 PI’s )
Inspection findings are color-designated
similarly
The performance of nuclear power plants is typical evaluated by analyzing two parameters:
Performance indicators or PI’s by the operator, and inspection findings by the regulator.
In order the make our regulatory activities more transparent to the public, AEC’s Nuclear Regulation Department has devised a so-called ”Color-designated Reactor Safety Indicator” system based on the idea borrowed from the reactor oversight process (ROP) of USNRC.
Three reactor safety cornerstones:
initiating event, mitigating system, and barrier integrity
have been counted quarterly and posted on AEC's website since 2005.
*
*
Performance Indicators
Inspection Findings
Depending upon the performance indicators of various systems and equipment associated with each cornerstone, a safety assessment of nuclear power plants can be presented by color designation from no safety concern in green, to greater degree of safety significance, all the way to red.
*
*
Recent and Ongoing Activities
to Enhance Nuclear Safety
Enhanced investigation and inspection on EMI of safety related systems etc.
Other regulatory activities:
Adopt RIFA
Request TPC to evaluate grid stability
Set a forum for discussion BWR fuel channel bow and fuel failure issues.
To ensure safe operation and public health, AEC continuously takes regulatory measures to closely monitor nuclear plant performance. Last year, three unplanned reactor trips of Maanshan plant triggered AEC to enhance investigation and inspection on the area of electro-magnetic interference (EMI) of safety related systems, digital-control device installation, and the reliability of electric transmission buses.
Other recent and ongoing regulatory activities include:
urging TPC to recruit and train younger licensed operators for its nuclear plants,
adopting risk-informed fire analysis (RIFA),
enforcing underground cable monitoring program,
requesting TPC to evaluate grid stability,
inspecting BWR control rod crack, and
*
*
implementation of maintenance rules
World experiences in operation and regulatory practices are instrumental.
In addition to the ongoing regulatory activities, AEC anticipates review of foreseeing applications, including:
measurement uncertainty recapture (MUR) power uprate,
final safety analysis report (FSAR) of Lungmen plant,
license renewal (beyond 40 years) of Chinshan plant, and
implementation of maintenance rules.
*
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Radiation Protection
Let’s now move on to the subject of radiation protection.
The Ionizing Radiation Protection Act of 2002 was the first of a series of laws passed in Taiwan as a result of a vigorous “rule-overhaul” process for regulating atomic energy related matters. So far, as many as 20 daughter regulations were promulgated, many of which have even gone through further revisions to incorporate feedbacks from both the regulatory staff and the regulated, as well as to conform to new international standards or guidelines.
*
*
TPC launched a voluntary program of improving performance, enhancing reactor safety, and reducing workers’ exposure.
Detailed plans with target values for each NPP (ref. WANO indicators).
Each plant adopted administrative actions and technical measures to ensure radiation safety and optimize dose (ALARA).
“removal of radioactive sources” played a key role in dose reduction.
Efforts began to pay off after 3 years.
The first one is dose optimization at nuclear power plants.
In 2003, after extensive communication and consultation, a mutual understanding was reached between AEC and TPC with a common goal of achieving overall performance in radiation protection significantly higher than world average through Taipower’s voluntary program of improving performance, enhancing reactor safety and reducing workers’ exposure, all at the same time.
Detailed implementation plans with target values were developed for each plant with reference to the performance indicators of WANO, and progress was monitored at AEC’s periodic regulatory meetings.
Starting in 2004, each plant adopted various administrative actions and technical measures to ensure radiation safety and to optimize dose by following the ALARA principle.
Administrative actions include “adopt-a-task” initiative, radiation safety check-up before high radiation operations, and personal radiation dose tracking and control. Technical measures include removal of radiation sources, installation of radiation shielding, shifting and control of operational schedule, and consideration for environmental occupancy factors, etc.
*
*
In 2004:
Avg. 1.13mSv
In 2005:
“Adopt-a-task” awarded by TPC as best practice
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Maintenance
This histogram shows outage collective doses at Chinshan plant.
In 2004, the average worker’s annual dose at Chinshan was 1.13 mSv (with one unit in outage), and no worker received a total dose exceeding 20 mSv. The collective dose was 1.03 man-Sv per unit, which was listed among the first quarter of WANO’s single year collective dose index.
In 2005, the outage collective dose hit a record low of 1.24 man-Sv and 1.03 man-Sv, for Units 1 and 2, respectively, a significant improvement compared to an average of 3 man-Sv per unit in its operating life of 28 years, or to an average of 2 man-Sv in the past 5 years.
Chinshan plant’s implementation of the “adopt-a-task” initiative was also awarded by TPC as best practice of radiation safety in 2005, and regarded as a role model among all nuclear plants.
*
*
Mar. 2004: For tighter control of sealed sources, AEC established online reporting via Internet, encouraging owners to conduct monthly reporting voluntarily.
Over 90% owners reported regularly.
Since 2005: This initiative has been successfully incorporated into existing practice.
The second example is on sealed source control.
In Taiwan, specific law and corresponding regulations has been in place for effective control of import and export of radioactive sources since 2003.
To increase control of sealed radioactive sources, AEC established in March 2004 an online reporting system through the Internet, assisting source owners in reporting their sources every month.
After having over 90 percents of owners reported through the system regularly, we have successfully incorporated this initiative into the existing practice in regulating sealed sources.
( “or regulations” regulationregulation)
*
*
Enhancing control of
sealed radioactive sources
To further conform to IAEA’s Code of Conduct and guidance document (25 Dec 2005) for Categories I&II radioactive sources:
Informed IAEA of commitment
Revised regulations on import and export (29 Dec 2005)
Conducting Inspection and establishing management plan to expedite handling
To further conform to IAEA’s Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources, published in September 2003, and its corresponding guidance document, which became effective in December 2005, AEC has taken the following actions:
First, informed IAEA of our commitment to conforming to the Agency’s Code and Guidance;
Then, established an inventory of Categories I&II radioactive sources, which is suitable for use in our country;
We also revised relevant regulations on import and export of radioactive sources, which became effective on December 29, 2005; and
Currently we are conducting special inspection on Categories I&II radioactive sources and establishing a management plan to expedite handling (recycling, storage or disposal) of radioactive sources.
*
*
Management
Before I conclude my presentation, let me give you a status of our radioactive waste management.
*
*
Dry Storage
TPC’s Milestones for Chinshan NPP:
2006 submit construction license application
2009 begin fuel loading
Environmental impact statement reviewed by EPA
Our current spent fuel management strategy is “storage in the pool for near term, onsite dry storage for medium term, and deep geological disposal for long term”.
For the near-term pool storage, re-racking projects have been undertaken at each plant to extend the storage capacity of the spent fuel pools. Chinshan and Kuosheng plants will still lose their full core reserves by 2010 and 2015, respectively. Taipower has therefore decided to go for interim dry storage projects at these two plants.
In the case of Chinshan plant, Taipower has chosen a concrete cask system design by means of technology transfer from a qualified vendor, and is expected to submit an application for a construction license later this year; in the hope to have pre-operational test performed in 2008 and the storage in operation by the end of 2009, which is quite ambitious.
*
*
Feasibility study report: 2009
For final disposal of spent fuel,
As required by enforcement rules of our radwaste management law, Taipower submitted the spent fuel final disposal plan to AEC for review.
The plan calls for a deep geological disposal repository to be constructed during 2045-2055, or 40-50 years from now, and a feasibility study report to be submitted in 2009.
For the feasibility study, Taipower was asked to carry out geologic investigations, engineering barrier research, performance assessment research and a public acceptance program.
*
*
The “waste” law of 2002 requires reduction of LLRW.
HEST by INER
As for low-level radioactive waste (LLRW)….
In 1989, AEC commenced a volume reduction strategy program, setting annual targets for each nuclear power plant. Taipower has since drastically reduced its annual solidified LLRW amount from nearly 5000 200-liter drums in 1990 to only 601 drums in 2005. This bar chart shows annual solidified waste generation from 3 power plants, as indicated in different colors: blue, green and yellow.
This waste reduction requirement was further incorporated into our law-making process. The Nuclear Materials and Radioactive Waste Management Act of 2002 stipulates that it’s the waste producer’s responsibility to reduce the waste volume.
The waste reduction achievement would not have been so dramatic in recent years without successful implementation of the High Efficiency Solidification Technology (HEST) developed by INER.
The system was installed at Maanshan, the 3rd NPP in 1999. From 2001 to 2005, the two PWR 950MW units only produced 99 drums of solidified LLRW, averaged at 10 drums/unit/year. You can see the “yellow” bar began to diminish in 1999 and barely exists now.
Similar technology has been applied at NPP2 since June this year, so we are expecting to see diminishing of “green” here in this bar chart in the coming years.
INER has also been active in developing thermal plasma technology to treat LLWR for the purpose of volume reduction and safe storage prior to final disposal.

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94
173.1
252.5
50
101
190.4
44.9
72.9
111.4
38.8
29.2
107.1
35.6
44.4
98.3
17.6
37.4
93.8
3.4
31.6
74.1
2.4
26
68.5
1.8
21.9
58.2
1.7
20
53.8
2.7

NPP1
NPP2
NPP3

CHINSHAN
KUOSHENG
MAANSHAN
1990
1349
2983
686
5018
134.9
298.3
68.6
1991
1463
4391
586
6440
146.3
439.1
58.6
1992
1736
1757
488
3981
173.6
175.7
48.8
1993
1833
2214
529
4576
183.3
221.4
52.9
1994
1731
2525
500
4756
173.1
252.5
50
1995
1010
1904
449
3363
101
190.4
44.9
1996
729
1114
388
2231
72.9
111.4
38.8
1997
292
1071
356
1719
29.2
107.1
35.6
1998
444
983
176
1603
44.4
98.3
17.6
1999
374
938
34
1346
37.4
93.8
3.4
2000
316
741
24
1081
31.6
74.1
2.4
2001
260
685
18
963
26
68.5
1.8
2002
219
582
17
818
21.9
58.2
1.7
2003
200
538
27
765
20
53.8
2.7
2004
200
446
18
664
2005
195
387
19
601

11756
21888
4251
37895

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919
919
3286
3286
6947
6947
10856
10856
14134
673
14807
17836
5166
23002
24068
10748
34816
27746
16859
138
44743
30661
21848
745
53254
32432
25475
1680
59587
33856
30745
2599
67200
34688
35715
3441
73844
36407
40120
4588
81115
37756
43103
5274
86133
39219
47494
5860
92573
40955
49251
6348
96554
42788
51465
6877
101130
44519
53990
7377
105886
45529
55894
7826
109249
46258
57008
8214
111480
46550
58079
8570
113199
46994
59062
8746
114802
47368
60000
8780
116148
47684
60741
8804
117229
47944
61426
8822
118192
48163
62008
8839
119010
48363
62546
8866
119775
48563
62992
8884
120439
48758
63379
8903
121040






66
919
919
67
3286
3286
68
6947
6947
69
10856
10856
70
14134
673
14807
71
17836
5166
23002
72
24068
10748
34816
73
27746
16859
138
44743
74
30661
21848
745
53254
75
32432
25475
1680
59587
76
33856
30745
2599
67200
77
34688
35715
3441
73844
78
36407
40120
4588
81115
79
37756
43103
5274
86133
80
39219
47494
5860
92573
81
40955
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6348
96554
82
42788
51465
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101130
83
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84
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86
46550
58079
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113199
87
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59062
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60000
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89
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90
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61426
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91
48163
62008
8839
119010
92
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62546
8866
119775
93
48563
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8884
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94
48758
63379
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260
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963
Final disposal of LLRW
As required by the “Nuclear Materials and Radioactive Waste Management Act”, TPC submitted a final disposal plan; AEC reviews semi-annually.
“The Establishment of LLRW Disposal Facility Act” passed in April 2006.
Now, for final disposal of the low-level waste,
As required by the "Nuclear Materials and Radioactive Waste Management Act", Taipower submitted the Final Disposal Plan for LLRW in December 2003, which has been approved by AEC and progress reviewed every 6 months.
*
*
The disposal plan shall be implemented by TPC;
Siting committee organized by MOEA; will suggest at least two recommended sites, local government may propose volunteer sites;
Referendum of local residents mandatory before MOEA decides on a candidate site;
Incentive package of NT$5 billion to be drawn from the Nuclear Backend Fund to the hosting county/township;
Investigations and selection of potential sites now under way, disposal facility is expected to be operational around 2016.
According to these two laws,
the disposal plan submitted by Taipower shall be implemented by Taipower, of course;
the siting committee was organized by the Ministry of Economic Affairs in August. The committee will suggest several potential sites and come up with at least two recommended sites. Local governments may also propose volunteer sites.
Residents of these recommended sites will decide by referendum whether they want such a facility in their hometown before MOEA decides on a candidate site.
A contribution fee of up to 5 billion NT dollars (or about 150 million US dollars) will be drawn from the Nuclear Backend Fund to the hosting county and township as a way to give back to the people.
*
*
Concluding Remarks
With this, I would like to make a few concluding remarks:
*
*
Communication tests with IAEA and USNRC on nuclear emergency conventions.
National reports for IAEA’s nuclear safety and waste management conventions peer-reviewed.
Safeguards inspection following NPT; Additional Protocol established since 1998.
As we all agree, nuclear safety has no national borders, and there has been growing international cooperation in nuclear infrastructure, safety regulation and R&D to enhance the safety of nuclear activities.
Although not a contracting party to UN conventions on nuclear activities, Taiwan has always committed itself to bindings of international standards in nuclear safety.
Communication tests are conducted regularly between AEC and IAEA in lieu of the “Twin Conventions” on nuclear emergency.
A national report, prepared in accordance with the Nuclear Safety Convention has been peer-reviewed between AEC and the USNRC. For the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel and Radioactive Waste Management, a similar review is anticipated with AEC’s bilateral cooperative states.
In the area of nuclear safeguards, IAEA conducts inspections in Taiwan following the spirit of UN’s Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and an Additional Protocol established between Taiwan and the Agency in 1998.
Keeping people safe from nuclear harm is meant to be a guarantee -- a guarantee that our sustained growth and development can be achieved. We at AEC take pride in being the agency that ensures people's safety, and we will continue to do our best.
*
*
Thank you for your attention.
76.2
77.3
78.3
83.6
80.5
81.8
85.285.2
78.8
87.8
86.3
87.4
88.7
60
70
80
90
100
93949596979899000102030405
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
1990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005
year
drums
NPP3
NPP2
NPP1