ICAPP '05 Deals with Futuristic
Technology
- KHNP seeking to publicize its own nuclear power technology

The Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP) is organizing the 2005 International Congress on Advances in Nuclear Power Plants (ICAPP 2005), attracting more than 650 nuclear experts and relevant officials from 29 countries. Hong Jang-hee, senior vice president in charge of power generation businesses, stressed the conference will help enhance the nation's image as global leader in nuclear power generation area. A graduate of Seoul National University majoring nuclear engineering, Hong has long served mainly in the area of nuclear power generation over the past 35 years. During a recent interview with the NewsWorld, he also elaborated on the background, meaning and vision of the upcoming conference. Following are the full content of the interview - Ed.

Question: The International Congress on Advances in Nuclear Power Plants (ICAPP 05), which began in 2002, will be held in Korea for the first time in Asia. Would you first explain the background of hosting and meaning of the international conference?
Answer: Prompted by steadily increasing oil prices coupled with the signing of the Kyoto Protocol, an increasing number of countries have been seeking to expand the uses of nuclear energy with the goal of obtaining energy security and enhancing environmental preservation.
Given this background, nuclear energy has emerged as the sustainable power resource in 21st century and it has become essential to develop safer and more economical nuclear power plants through steady technological renovation.
In developing future nuclear power plants, we need to focus on keeping the principle of nuclear non-proliferation while maintaining nuclear safety. Special care also needs to be made toward fundamental solution of the high-density spent materials and remarkably reduce the construction period.
The ICAPP 2005 is a massive international conference that has been designed to prepare for the renaissance of nuclear industry by providing experts in nuclear power industries from across the globe with chances to discuss ways of increasing the role of nuclear energy. They will also engage in in-depth discussion on recent technologies and future development direction regarding design, construction and operation of nuclear power plants.

Q: Please comment on the schedule and other details of the upcoming ICAPP 05, together with the possible effects and special characteristics.
A: Our company has already developed APR 1400 equipped with beefed-up safety and economic merit that will be installed in Shinkori units 3 and 4. We are seeking to sell the product in overseas markets along with the Korean standard nuclear reactor, OPR1000.
The company is planning to advertise high-level domestic nuclear technologies during the conference and is poised to contribute to advancing relevant technologies through international cooperation. It will also help enhance the national prestige in international nuclear community and expand the groundwork for domestic companies to leap into foreign markets.
The technology program for the ICAPP 2005 conference has been compiled via consultation from 30 world-class experts from leading research institutes and companies like Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Doosan Heavy Industries and construction, Korea Power Engineering Company, Seoul National University and Kyunghee University.
The conference will provide participants with opportunities to grasp the to-be-commercialized state-of-the-art nuclear power technologies by engaging in hot debate on the recently designed nuclear power plants around the world, their operation and construction. Some 460 technology-related papers and 30 keynote speeches from 30 countries would be presented during the conference.

Q: As the ICAPP 2005 is an international conference pertinent to development of new-type nuclear reactors; there will likely be brisk exchanges of experiences among nuclear industries of participating nations. Would you explain the development situation of such reactors in the countries?
A: Following the accident in Chernobyl, an increasing number of western industrialized nations have begun to develop new-type nuclear reactors to secure more safety and economic benefits compared with other power resources.
Against this backdrop, the project for the 1400 (APR1400) has been pursued as a national project for the development of the leading technologies (G-7) from December 1992 until December 2001. The project is for the development of pan-national technology, jointly initiated by the government, research institutes and relevant colleges.
It boasts a high degree safety and economic merits compared with other nuclear reactors. The 1400 is a reactor equipped with international competitiveness in terms of safety and economic benefits. Applied for Shinkori Units 3, 4, the reactors will be completed by the year 2012 and 2013.
These efforts will help secure a stable supply of electric power after the year 2010 and advance nuclear technology. Construction of new reactors will help companies advance into foreign markets, boosted by strengthened international competitiveness.
In order to secure safety and save costs, a growing number of countries like the Untied States have begun to develop new reactors from the middle of 1980s. Representing cases include (Sys.80 plus, AP600/1000) of the United States, EPR of Europe and ABWR, APWR of Japan.
-The U.S.: Westinghouse developed AP600 and Sys.80 plus and is seeking to advance into the Chinese market after it obtained a design certificate with AP 1000 based on AP600.
-Europe: France and Germany jointly developed 1,550Mwe European Pressurized Reactor (EPR) and are developing one unit to be installed in Finland with the goal of completing the construction by 2009.
-Japan: Japan has been operating ABWR-type Kashiwazaki units 6, 7 from 1996 and has been constructing Advanced Pressurized Water Reactor (APWR)-type Tsuruga units 3 and 4.

Q: The current international conference is expected to provide a chance to advertise the merits of Korean style OPR1000 and APR1400. Would you elaborate on the merits and characteristics of the reactors? And we hope to hear about your company's plan to make inroads in the nuclear power areas in foreign markets.
A: We have positive prospects in pushing for projects in foreign nuclear businesses as the technology intensive industry provides high added value. The world's nuclear area has begun to enjoy a renaissance period with a growing number of countries having been eager to focus on the industry to secure energy security and cope with changes following the signing of the Kyoto Protocol.
The United States has been pressing ahead with various programs for the construction of new reactors supported by the strong determination of the Bush administration.
China is planning to set up 40 nuclear plants in the 15 years to come with the aim of coping with the possible shortage of electric power. Other developing nations like Vietnam and Indonesia have also been attempting to establish nuclear plants.
Affected by the effectuation of the Kyoto Protocol, the nuclear industry is expected to take a second leap. The protocol obligates nations to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the year 2008.
Korea is equipped with world-class technologies in terms of usage rate of nuclear power, cost for the power generation and other operational know-how. The nation has achieved self-reliant technology and production and boasts high degree of competitiveness in its bid to advance into foreign markets based on close cooperation among industries and academic institutes.
With proper feedback of experiences in building and operating nuclear plants, the Korean-style reactors have been appropriately designed. Safety has also been strengthened with up-to-date technology and by meeting international requirements.
Regarding OPR1000, I would like to emphasize the optimal construction term due to experiences in past development and the reasonable construction cost. In addition, the Korean style reactors have proved to be world-class in terms of operational performances.
With regard to the APR 1400, I want to point out that the reactors were developed based on the OPR100 with experiences in construction, test operation and repair and maintenance having been fully reflected. In order to enhance safety, various equipment have been introduced for oil control in safety tanks and earthquake-proof design.
Capability for operation and repair has been further enhanced through the introduction of digital control methods and on the basis of past experience in constructing and operating reactors. With the installment of PAR and ERVC, the capability has been greatly enhanced to cope with severe accident.
The company has also been taking measures to make inroads into overseas markets. China plans to expand the current 6.70 million KW facilities to 40 million KW by the year 2020 and the project will need 20 to 30 more reactors equivalent to 1 million KW level. We also plan to take part in project for supply of Korean-style reactors and relevant equipments.
In Romania, we plan to participate in projects by conducting feasibility study and resuming the construction of unit 3. We have been providing tech consultations on the operation of the reactor (700 MW CANDU) in Chernavoda.
Vietnam has been pushing for a project for the construction of 1000 MW-level reactors with the goal of completing the unit 2 by 2017. We have been laying the groundwork for the project through joint study of the reactors, participation in various seminars and training related human resources.
Indonesia has been preparing for the construction of reactors with the aim of beginning the commercial operation of the first reactor in the nation by the year 2016. Toward that end, we have been carrying out joint researches to pave the way for the company to advance into the nation with Korean-style reactors.

Q: The role of nuclear energy as a source for supply of hydrogen, which is likely to emerge as the future energy resources, is drawing attention during the coming ICAPP 05 conference. In this context, we would like to ask about the fourth generation reactor system and International Thermonuclear Experiment Reactor (ITER).
A: Regarding the fourth generation reactor system, I would like say that it has been pursued for the purpose of commercializing by the year 2030. It is aimed at resolving the problem due to uranium resources and spent materials, enhancing safety and economic benefits, while preventing possible nuclear proliferation.
The first generation reactor was developed in 1950s and 1960s as prototype reactor mainly for shipping ports. The second-generation reactors were developed in the 1970s for commercial purpose including light water reactor (LWR), pressurized water reactor (PWR) and CANDU.
The third generation reactors have been developed for the purpose of commercializing by 2010 including AP 1000, ESBWR, ABWRII and APWR plus and so on.
The main point of the fourth generation reactors is that they have been equipped with a high degree of safety. They are designed to prevent possible accidents from causing damage to people in general. In other words, reactors are strictly managed to maintain the same level of safety seen in general industrial facilities.
The fourth generation reactors are designed to reproduce fuel while consuming fuel, thus raising the efficiency of uranium resources uses. Through the method, the utility value of uranium can be enhanced by 60 times, extending the usable period of uranium which now stands at 60 to 100 years to 6,000 years, thus virtually resolving the energy problem facing mankind.
Also, measures have been studied to ensure the peaceful uses of nuclear energy by developing a new system. Development of such technology will help enhance the environmentally-friendly use of nuclear materials.
The fourth-generation reactors have also been developed to produce hydrogen, which will be used as the energy source in the future. Mass production of hydrogen through nuclear reactors will help resolve the problems involving transportation energy. More than 1,000-Celsius degree of high temperature is needed to produce hydrogen that will become the main energy source for transportation. The high temperature gas-cooled reactor, now under development, is expected to realize the system for production of hydrogen. The current ICAPP will deal with the issue in a separate section.
As nuclear power plant is representing heavy equipment industry, it usually takes 10 years to design a new plant and another 10 years to construct it. Commercialization also needs 10 years given the need for construction of demonstration plant. Because the nation began the fourth generation nuclear plant from 2001, 2030 will be the first year that will see commercial use of such a plant.
Some $600 million to $1 billion is needed to develop the fourth generation nuclear plants although exact cost varies depending on the types of reactors. In order to avoid the possible risk resulting from such massive amount of investment, joint research has been carried out on the international level. In Korea, investments have been made from middle and long-term research and development fund provided by the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co.

Nations participating in the project
In 2001, the Bush administration reflected the project for the development of the fourth generation plant in its energy policy. The project began with participation from 10 countries including South Korea and the European Union.
Participating nations include South Korea, the United States, France, Britain, Japan, Canada, Switzerland, South Africa, Brazil, Argentine and European Union. South Africa came to take part in as the nation has started a special type of gas cooling reactor named Pebble Bed Type, which has been applicable to high temperature gas cooling reactors, one of typical fourth generation reactors.
In 2001, Generation IV International Forum was made for the pursuit of the fourth generation project and in 2002 six candidate models were selected. The reactors include very high temperature reactors, gas-cooled fast reactors, sodium-cooled fast reactors, lead-cooled fast reactors, molten salt reactors and super-critical water reactors. Technology papers on the reactors will be presented during the ICAPP meeting.
A study plan was set up in 2003-2004 including how respective nations would take part in the project. In February 2005, five nations - the United States, France, Britain and Canada ? signed a paper for joint research and embarked on full-fledged research activities. Other five nations and EU member nations are seeking means to subscribe the agreement within the year. South Korea will also seek to be included this year.
The pact takes effect for 10 years to come and notifies purpose of joint research, participating methods and result of the participation.

South Korea's participation
South Korea is taking part in the project as the founding member of the fourth generation nuclear plant. It is participating as a full member for projects for high temperature gas and sodium-cooled fast reactors, which have high feasibility for the project while partially taking part in some projects for development of technologies for gas-cooled fast reactor and super-critical water reactors.
South Korea has been regarded as an important partner for the development of the fourth-generation nuclear plant as the world's sixth largest nuclear power nation. The Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. dispatch an official to the Nuclear Energy Agency of the OECD, playing the role as secretariat office for development of the fourth generation nuclear technology. Recognizing the fourth generation technology as the new momentum for the nuclear industry, the company has been carrying out activities for collecting information and technology.
Energy has surfaced as the most significant global issue beyond national boundaries in the 21st century. Given the steady rise in oil prices from 2000 and the effectuation of the Kyoto Protocol from this year, energy has all the more important issue for the nation who lacks energy resources.
Against this backdrop, an increasing number of countries have begun to resume construction of nuclear plants including Finland and France. The fourth generation nuclear plant project will be realized without fail given leading technology nations like the United Nations and France are poised to provide maximum assistance, out of the recognition that only nuclear power can help resolve the energy problem. Fourth generation has become an essential option, not an alternative of many choices like recycled energy and thermonuclear energy.
South Korea can also conduct the project on equal footing with other advanced nations, as it will be able to share the technology since it has taken part in the project for the fourth generation plant on the same par with the leading technology nations.

Q: Would you tell our readers more about the ITER including its participating nations?
A: Many nations are taking part in the ITER like South Korea, European Union, the United States, Japan, Russia and China. Each participating nation needs to pay more than 10 percent of expenses for the ITER project and can be allotted more than 10 percent of construction procurements. South Korea joined the ITER from June 2003 and the Korea Basic Science Institute's thermonuclear team is taking part in the ITER on a working level basis. The team has been pushing for the KSTAR project, the foundation of the nation's thermonuclear research. KSTAR project is scaled at one-third the ITER and has been aimed to advance the nation's thermonuclear technology to the world level. It is the world's only mid-sized thermonuclear demonstration reactor that can be operated before the ITER.

Q: What is the future prospect for the ITER project?
A: Currently the most significant issue regarding ITER is the selection of the construction site and Japan and France of EU have been fiercely competing to host the site. Once the site is determined, member nations will establish an independent international organization and sign a separate international agreement for the project. South Korea is considering legislating a special law to participate in ITER project.
Use of thermonuclear energy has been the long-cherished dream of all mankind regarded as dream technology that will help resolve the energy problems. It does not necessarily mean that with only ITER commercialization will be accomplished. But it has been very valuable energy technology as seen in the hot competition between Japan and France to grasp future technology.
South Korea will be able to expect a great extent of impact upon domestic industries and secure technology for future energy resources by having earlier access to the thermonuclear technology in an initial stage.
There are two different opinions regarding the uses of ITER. First, some experts claim fast track theory that ITER system can directly be connected to commercial thermonuclear reactors. But others claim for commercialization, it needs to be tested through demonstration reactors and prototype reactors. nw