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Table of Contents Korea - Australia Nuclear Cooperation Programme .............................................................................................3

1. Introduction ..............................................................................................................................................3

2. The Opening Seminar held on April 16, 2018 ...........................................................................................3

2.1. The Australian Power System ...........................................................................................................3

3. Nuclear Energy Business - Hyundai Engineering and Construction .........................................................5

4. Korean Nuclear Power Plants and Technology - KEPCO NSSS Division ....................................................6

6. KINGS CURRICULUM - Kepco International Nuclear Graduate School .................................................. 10

7. KEPCO NF Introduction &Nuclear Fuel Technology .............................................................................. 11

8. Korean Experience of the Nuclear Industry........................................................................................... 12

Overview .................................................................................................................................................... 12

Construction Projects ................................................................................................................................ 12

Korea's nuclear industry and Economic growth ........................................................................................ 12

Electricity status ........................................................................................................................................ 12

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Korea - Australia Nuclear Cooperation Programme

Section 1 - Nuclear Energy Seminar

1. Introduction This document is section 1 of a two part report on visit to South Korea by Dr Robert Barr , Robert Parker, and

Barrie Hill at the invitation of the Korean Nuclear Association. This reciprocal visit was undertaken after a

presentation by the KNA to the Australian Nuclear Association ( ANA) in November 2017. A short resume for

each participant is given in Section 2/11

Section 1 covers the first day nuclear energy seminar and contributions by participants. Section 2 covers the

subsequent inspection of Korean nuclear facilities and organisations by the Australian group.

The objective of the visit was to investigate the origins and lessons from the introduction of nuclear power

into Korea, the very low cost of electricity now achieved, and the Korean export performance

The extensive organisation and introductions provided by the KNA for the visit is gratefully acknowledged

2. The Opening Seminar held on April 16, 2018

2.1. The Australian Power System

First presenter was Robert Parker who outlined a possible coal to nuclear transition for Australia as

shown in Figure 1. In this concept 20GW of nuclear electricity generation could progressively replace aging

coal fired power stations.

Figure 1 - Coal to Nuclear transition

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Australia's energy abundance and its benefits as an exporting nation was outlined together with our ongoing

reliance on fossil fuelled electricity generation. Rob Parker then highlighted the major problem of escalating

electricity prices and the ongoing failure to accurately predict the trend.

Rob went on to outline the potential for Australian emissions to fall from the current level of 877

grCO2/KWh to around 60 grCO2/KWh if we were to replace coal with nuclear generation.

Localities for the nuclear power plants were discussed before moving on to the legislative hurdles such as

the ARPANS Act and the EPABC Act. The nuclear energy policies of Australia's political parties were outlined

and the support offered by a great many individual politicians including previous and current Prime

Ministers, Premiers and their deputies and ministers.

Australians are tiring of escalating price uncertainty and business is suffering. Currently there are few votes

in the use of nuclear power under the current poorly framed narrative. This we hope to change with our

Korean study tour.

Dr Robert Barr then described the Australian Electricity System and the operation of the National

Electricity Market or NEM. The very long and fragile nature of the grid was discussed including the close

proximity of large generators to the major load centres in our major cities. He outlined the disruptive impact

that "renewables" such as wind and solar are having on existing generators through the application of Large

Renewable Energy Target (LRET) subsidies of $85/MWh. This is forcing the retirement of generators such as

the Northern Power station. It is preventing the investment in any generating system that is not subsidised

or that does not have guaranteed entry to the market via Renewable Energy Targets (RET).

Robert then discussed the operation of the market in detail. While this was Australia specific it gave insights

into problems that Korea would face if it attempted to drive renewables into a market oriented system. He

described in detail how existing generators are being forced out of the market and showed how the

departure of the Northern Power Station in South Australia resulted in a jump in power prices.

Australia's key electricity problems were summarised as:

• High Electricity prices which have doubled in 2 years and are damaging energy intensive industries

• Reliability concerns

• Security of supply with a lack of inertia, system strength and frequency variability

• CO2 emissions failing to reach realistic targets

• The likelihood of problems and supply disruption over the next few years

Robert then described the Government's desired solution using the National Energy Guarantee and how this

will run up against reliability of supply from wind generators and the instances and problems of

intermittency from both wind and solar. The pattern keeps repeating. LRET causes rapid growth in wind and

solar followed by a reduction in pool prices below the marginal cost of fossil fuels. Base load generators then

exit the market which exposes the inability of wind and solar to provide reliable generation. Lack of

generation leads to high pool prices. This is the major problem requiring resolution.

One possible "fix" is a combined energy and capacity market and this presents an opportunity for nuclear

energy especially if payments for low CO2 emissions and capacity were made.

Challenges for nuclear power in Australia include gaining a social licence, establishing grid reliability with

large capacity generators and system economics but all can be resolved.

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Barrie Hill then completed our three presentations with an outline of Australia's historical nuclear research

focus on projects such as HIFAR, MOATA, Laser separation, gas centrifuges, sodium coolants and radio

chemistry

The history of ANSTO and the AAEC commercial power reactor project at Jervis bay were outlined.

Barrie discussed the ongoing dilemma of our disposal of nuclear waste and the tremendous opportunities

presented by a deep geological repository for the storage of high level wastes from the International market

as defined by the South Australian Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission.

He then moved on to the topic of our construction sector and its ability to meet the challenges of a Nuclear

Power Plant program. In particular our greatest skills lay in the civil and structural sector with a greater

reliance on imports for the mechanical and electrical sectors.

Barrie recommended that the local content of nuclear construction would require fully detailed design

provided to the contractors as opposed to a reliance on design and construct with particular attention being

paid to effective project management and quality management.

The power sector in Australia has traditionally been developed by Australia's State Governments - that is

where the responsibility under our Federal system lays. Any nuclear power programme will likely require

Federal direction through legislation, regulation and financing. The capital intensive nature of the enterprise

means that a nuclear power programme would most likely become a Federal government responsibility to

ensure low-cost finance.

3. Nuclear Energy Business - Hyundai Engineering and Construction Presentation by Mr Keonwoo PARK

Hyundai Motor Group carries out Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) construction through Hyundai Engineering and

Construction (HDEC) and Hyundai Engineering (HEC). These two companies have combined sales in 2016 of

$23.86 billion.

HDEC carries out a full range of Nuclear services including new build construction, decommissioning and

operations and maintenance. They built 15 of the 25 NPP's in Korea and currently lead the construction of 7

NPP's in domestic and overseas markets. This includes Kori 1, 2, 3 and 4, Wolsong 1 & 2, Hanbit 1,2,3,4,5 & 6,

Shinkori 1, 2, 3 &4, Shinhanul 1 & 2, Barakah 1,2, 3 &4 and Kedo 1 &2

On the Barakah project, HDEC shared the contract with Samsung on a 55/45 basis and reported to KEPCO

who were the prime contractor for the owner ENEC (Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation)

The Barakah project consists of 4 x 1.4 GW PWR's with a combined output of 5.6GW. Total concrete volume

is 2.1 million cubic metres and 320,000 tonnes of rebar reflecting the poor ground conditions at the coastal

sites selected.

The first unit has been completed and the fourth will be finished by the end of 2020. Each individual reactor

take 54 months to construct/commission.

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4. Korean Nuclear Power Plants and Technology - KEPCO NSSS Division Presentation by Dr. Jae Young Yang

This presentation provided an overview of the strategy for nuclear power development and an outline of

the APR+ and APR1000+ programmes. It also included a snapshot of the i-POWER and SMART SMR

technology.

1. The Korean reactor program is currently building the APR1400 reactors which are a Gen III design and

are probably too large for Australia. These have European certification and are undergoing US NRC

certification. Ref to Figure 3

2. The next iteration of Korean reactors are the APR+ series of 1400MW and 1000MW reactors of Gen III+

classification. Ref to Figure 2

3. The 1000MW version is due to reach design completion by 2020 and would be a suitable unit for

deployment in parts of Australia. Refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6

4. The APR+ development tasks include improved control rod drives to enable Automatic Load Following.

It's also noted that in the case of the APR+1400, 16 additional fuel assemblies have been included

compared to the 241 in the APR1400. Refer Figure 4

5. The i-POWER reactor is also Gen III+ and has extremely high development goals as outlined in Figure 7

Figure 2 - Where the Korean Reactors fit in Generations

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Figure 3 - Strategy for Large NPP's

Figure 4 -- APR+ Development Tasks

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Notes: CEDM refers to the Control Rod Drive Mechanisms, NSSS - Nuclear steam supply system, SSAR - Site

Safety Analysis Report, ITAAC - Inspections, Testing Analysis and Acceptance Criteria, EOP - Emergency

Operating Procedure.

Figure 5 - Status of Korean NPP's

Figure 6 - APR+1000 characteristics

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Figure 7 - i-POWER Development goals

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6. KINGS CURRICULUM - Kepco International Nuclear Graduate School Presentation by Associate Professor Eric YEE

KINGS is a post graduate school training students from around the world in nuclear power plant engineering.

It runs a two year course primarily at its campus located between the Kori and Shin Kori nuclear powers

plants near Busan. The course outline is shown in Figure 8 and leads to the award of a Masters of

Engineering though the option of a Doctor of Technology also exists.

The programme steps are:

1. 1st Trimester (3 mths) - BOOT CAMP provides core knowledge of nuclear power engineering

2. 2nd Trimester (3 mths) - APR familiarisation and Systems Engineering

3. 3rd Trimester (3mths) - APR intensive and Systems Engineering II

4. 4th - 6th Trimester - Specialisation programme

The course aims to produce people who can meet three key roles:

• Technical experts capable of identifying and resolving problems in NPP systems and overall

engineering processes

• Engineering managers capable of systematically integrating, controlling and managing complex and

diverse NPP technologies and technical trends

• Project managers capable of managing NPP projects occurring in the total NPP lifecycle of design,

manufacture, construction, O&M etc.

Figure 8 - KINGS Course Outline

Significant avenues exist for course funding of both tuition and boarding.

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7. KEPCO NF Introduction &Nuclear Fuel Technology Presentation by Mr. Jin-Seol LEE

KEPCO NF operate in the fields of:

• Design and Engineering

• Fabrication of PWR and PHWR fuels

• Research and Development

• Fuel Maintenance and Service

The company supplies fuel for 20 PWRs and 2 PHWRs and has the capacity to produce 550 MTU/yr of PWR

fuel and 400 MTU/yr of PHWR fuel.

Research into accident tolerant fuels (ATFs) is underway and will be incorporated into the Korean fleet in the

future.

Within Korea there is no approval to carry out either uranium enrichment or reprocessing. PWR fuel is made

by importing enriched UF6 and converting this to UO2 for fuel fabrication.

At present all used fuel is stored awaiting the approval of a deep geological repository.

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8. Korean Experience of the Nuclear Industry Presentation by Mr Hyoung-Tae JEON of KHNP

Overview

KHNP (Korean Hydro and Nuclear Power) employ 11,200 people with total assets of $43.9billion and a

revenue of $903 billion

They operate 24 nuclear power plants with a combined generating capacity of 22.5GW. Their current

operating performance is 90.6% and in 2015 they had 0.13 unplanned shutdowns per unit which is a

threefold improvement on their performance in 2012.

Construction Projects

KHNP is currently engaged in construction at Shin Kori units 4,5&6 , Shin Hanul units 1&2 and Barakah units

1,2,3 &4

Between 1995 and 2015 construction periods have steadily decreased by 18% and construction costs

reduced by 32%

Korea's nuclear industry and Economic growth

Electricity status

With a generating capacity of 23.116GW, nuclear power represents 21.8% of Korea's installed capacity. It

generates 162TWh or 30.6% of gross electricity generation of 540TWh. Power generated on the NEM by way

of comparison is 196.5TWh.

Figure 9 - Electricity price by country

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Nuclear electricity production has been central to Korea's economic growth and stability of electricity prices

has been the key. As Figure 9 shows Korea has traditionally had very low electricity prices by world rankings.

Of great importance has been the relative stability and predictability of those prices which have significantly

lagged both the consumer price rises and the GDP growth.

Between 1982 and 2015 GDP grew by 1653% and consumer prices grew by 274% however electricity prices

only increased by 49.4%.

Notably this stability has been provided by a robust public sector controlled nuclear industry which has been

targeted to provide growth and stability to enable growth to take place rest of the economy. The actual

construction has been handled by private sector companies however Doosan Heavy Industries and the

construction consortia are stable and vertically integrated. Refer to Figure 10

Figure 10 - Public and Private sectors of nuclear industry

The competitiveness and reliability of the nuclear power industry has been underpinned by the history of

continuous construction as shown in Figure 11

Finally KHNP are in collaboration with Saudi Arabia in the development and deployment of the 100MWe

SMART Small Modular Smart reactor. Its design dates from 1997.

It weighs 1000 tonnes so good luck with that!

It's got all the passive safety features and has an exclusion zone of 300m.

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Figure 11 - Competitiveness through continuous construction