This is the crucial moment that EDF technicians and engineers have been waiting for years, that of the “divergence” of the EPR in Flamanville (Manche). In other words, the start of the process leading to the nuclear chain reaction in the reactor and marking the start of its operation. It was triggered on Monday 2 September, a few hours after the final green light given by the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN).
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“After the reactor loading was completed in May, explains the operator in a press release, The teams carried out numerous technical tests and put the installation in the conditions required to allow the launch of nuclear fission. It is unlikely that the last-ditch appeals by anti-nuclear NGOs, filed in July, will block the process.
“With the divergence, that is to say the “ignition” of the reactor, we are passing the most important stage of the start-up of Flamanville 3rejoices the CEO of the EDF group, Luc Rémont. All teams are focused on carrying out the operation safely, in close cooperation with the ASN.” Once a stable nuclear reaction at very low power has been achieved, the reactor will operate at 0.2% of its nominal power of 1,600 megawatts (MW).
Subsequently, tests will make it possible to reach 25%, a level where the EPR will be connected to the electricity transmission network lines to produce commercial electricity. The connection is planned “by the end of fall 2024”three months behind the start of the year schedule. “There are still many overall tests to be done and no date has been set for reaching full power.”says Régis Clément, deputy director of the nuclear production division. In addition, after eighteen months of operation, EDF will change the boiler tank cover as a preventive measure. As early as 2015, tests had revealed weaknesses (excessive carbon concentration) in the steel and the operator had committed to replacing this key part.
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Powering three million homes
EDF had not commissioned a new reactor in France since Civaux 2 (Vienna) in 1999, the final phase of the Messmer plan launched in 1974. After Taishan (China) and Olkiluoto (Finland), the Flamanville EPR will be the fourth so-called “third generation” reactor, due to its enhanced safety (double concrete shell, corium collector in the event of melting of the vessel, etc.). It is to supply three million homes.
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