“Academician Lomonosov” for Chukotka and prospects for “Rosatom”
On August 23, the newest Akademik Lomonosov floating power unit was removed from the port of Murmansk, and its towing to the duty station, Pevek (Chukotka Autonomous District) began. In the coming weeks, the PEB will arrive at the site, after which its preparation for work will begin. The operation of the power unit will begin before the end of the year. It is expected that these events will most seriously affect the development of domestic and foreign energy systems.
Towing the "Academician Lomonosov" during the tests, April 2018
The laying of a floating power unit for a floating nuclear power plant (FNPP) took place in April 2007 at the Sevmash plant (Severodvinsk). Then for the construction of several years. The following year, it was decided to transfer the construction to the Baltic Plant (St. Petersburg). At the end of June 2010, the completed vessel was launched and continued its completion afloat. The installation of reactor and generating equipment was carried out.
At the beginning of 2018, the PEB was prepared for testing. In April, he was sent from St. Petersburg to Murmansk, to the base of the Atomflot FSUE. In summer, the loading of nuclear fuel began, and in November two reactors were launched. Complex tests of the power unit were completed at the end of April 2019. On August 23 towing of the unit to the duty station began.
The constructed “Academician Lomonosov” will work as part of a more complex complex, which also has coastal infrastructure. The construction of the necessary facilities in the city of Pevek started in 2016 and was completed in the bulk. In the near future, the power unit will arrive at the duty station, where it will be connected to the onshore facilities and prepared for the start of full operation.
The task of the "Academician Lomonosov" is the power supply of Pevek and the nearest settlements of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. FNPP will provide the population and the economy with electricity and heat. This is a partial replacement of the Bilibino NPP. After a few years, it will be decommissioned, and the FNPP will allow maintaining the required generation.
The Akademik Lomonosov SEB is a self-propelled rack-type vessel with double sides and a double bottom. The vessel has a developed superstructure, which provides volumes for reactors, power equipment and domestic premises. The longest unit reaches 144 m with a maximum width of 30 m. Displacement - 21560 t. There is no propulsion system of its own and therefore needs towing assistance to move the power unit. During operation, the PEB remains at the necessary coastal facilities and is connected to communications.
Floating power unit during towing in Pevek, August 2019
The basis for the power plant are two reactor units KLT-40С developed by OKBM them. Afrikantov connected to two steam turbine plants. Using reactors and other on-board equipment, electricity is generated and water is heated. In the nominal mode, “Academician Lomonosov” should provide 60 MW of electricity and 50 Gcal / h of heat to the shore. By reducing the output of warm water, energy capacity can be brought up to 70 MW. There is a mode of increased heat transfer - 145 Gcal / h at 30 MW of electricity. An additional function of the FNPP is the desalination of sea water - estimated from 40 to 240 thousand cubic meters of fresh water per day.
The declared characteristics allow the new type of FNPP to provide heat and electricity to a settlement with 100 thousand inhabitants. For comparison, the entire population of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug is about half that.
The work of the PSU is provided by a crew of 70 people. For them, on board the vessel there are cabins, a galley with a dining room, a library, etc. A medical unit with modern equipment is provided. The presence of powerful heat sources on board made it possible to organize a bath and a sauna.
Onshore facilities built in Pevek include protective and energy systems. So, the place at the pier for the "Academician Lomonosov" is protected by a special pier, which prevents the passage of waves or a pile of ice. In this case, the hydrothermal characteristics of the water area remain at the desired values. Systems have been deployed on the shore to receive energy and heat from the side of the PSU and to transfer them to existing lines.
The assigned lifetime of the FNPP is 40 years. Before the factory repair, the station will work for 12 years. All basic operations during operation are carried out by the power unit independently and using the equipment on board. However, some operations and procedures can only be performed in a shipyard.
"Academician Lomonosov" is not yet in operation, but there are already all reasons for optimism - both in the context of a specific project, and in relation to the entire direction. The first domestic floating nuclear power plant has been successfully completed and is heading to the duty station and will soon be able to show its full potential.
The existence of the Akademik Lomonosov PEB demonstrates the ability of the Russian industry to create such complex projects of a special kind and of special significance. With appropriate orders, Rosatom and the United Shipbuilding Corporation may build new FNPPs to work in other areas. In addition, a new generation of such power plants is already being developed, based on other technologies.
The main objective of the FNPP is the power supply of remote areas where the construction of power plants of a traditional look is unprofitable or impossible. So, at the stage of development of the "Academician Lomonosov" several options for the location of the future station were considered - it could go to Chukotka or stay in Severodvinsk. The transfer of PEB to Kamchatka was also considered. Later, after the city of Pevek was chosen as the duty station, statements were made about the need to deploy the 5-7 FNPP in different parts of the country.
Serial construction of the FNPP will make it possible to solve the problems of energy supply in hard-to-reach regions isolated from common energy systems and supplied mainly by sea. First of all, this applies to the cities of the Arctic and the Far East.
However, the solution to such problems is not simple and cheap. The project "Academician Lomonosov" has been repeatedly criticized because of the considerable cost, which also increased during construction. Nevertheless, we are talking about an infrastructure project of great importance, laying the foundation for the development of regional economies, and therefore payback issues may go by the wayside.
With the FNPP project, Rosatom can enter the international market. It is already known that some foreign countries experiencing problems with energy supply are showing interest in such developments. Negotiations are underway with the states of Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. Also, some island countries are interested in the topic.
The construction of floating power plants requires special competencies that are available in only a few countries. Thus, the presence of PEB and FNPP projects gives Russia special advantages in the international market of energy systems and power plants. There is every reason to believe that Rosatom and USC will succeed in turning the interest of potential customers into real contracts.
Our country already has experience in the “export” of nuclear power plants, which may attract new customers. In addition, the launch of the operation of the Academician Lomonosov will be a good advertisement for our FNPPs. While there is every reason for positive forecasts, and you can count on obtaining the desired results.
However, attempts to promote the FNPP in the world may face opposition from a third party. So last news about towing the "Academician Lomonosov" to Pevek entailed a shaft of publications in the foreign press, some of which are clearly critical. They mention the whole set of stamps about the dangers of nuclear energy, and also stipulate various threats to the station.
It is hardly possible to say with certainty that such publications are solely concerned with nature and people. They are very similar to the attempts that have already taken place to spoil the reputation of the project and, accordingly, worsen its commercial prospects. It is possible that this is an attempt at unfair competition.
In the coming weeks, Akademik Lomonosov will arrive at the duty station and will be docked on-board systems with coastal infrastructure. By the end of the year, commissioning will take place, and Chukotka will receive a new energy facility of special significance. Moreover, such events will be important not only for the Autonomous Okrug, but also for several industries and for the whole country.
The success of the first floating nuclear power plant will be the impetus for the construction of new such vessels for their own needs and for export. In the near future, the only FNPP will be operated in Pevek, but in the future such facilities may appear in other places - both in Russia and abroad. Perhaps in the future this direction will be developed, and we can talk about a real revolution in the energy sector. In the meantime, the main task is to launch the "Academician Lomonosov" at the designated duty station.
Towing the "Academician Lomonosov" during the tests, April 2018
From project to PEB
The laying of a floating power unit for a floating nuclear power plant (FNPP) took place in April 2007 at the Sevmash plant (Severodvinsk). Then for the construction of several years. The following year, it was decided to transfer the construction to the Baltic Plant (St. Petersburg). At the end of June 2010, the completed vessel was launched and continued its completion afloat. The installation of reactor and generating equipment was carried out.
At the beginning of 2018, the PEB was prepared for testing. In April, he was sent from St. Petersburg to Murmansk, to the base of the Atomflot FSUE. In summer, the loading of nuclear fuel began, and in November two reactors were launched. Complex tests of the power unit were completed at the end of April 2019. On August 23 towing of the unit to the duty station began.
The constructed “Academician Lomonosov” will work as part of a more complex complex, which also has coastal infrastructure. The construction of the necessary facilities in the city of Pevek started in 2016 and was completed in the bulk. In the near future, the power unit will arrive at the duty station, where it will be connected to the onshore facilities and prepared for the start of full operation.
The task of the "Academician Lomonosov" is the power supply of Pevek and the nearest settlements of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. FNPP will provide the population and the economy with electricity and heat. This is a partial replacement of the Bilibino NPP. After a few years, it will be decommissioned, and the FNPP will allow maintaining the required generation.
Nuclear power plant
The Akademik Lomonosov SEB is a self-propelled rack-type vessel with double sides and a double bottom. The vessel has a developed superstructure, which provides volumes for reactors, power equipment and domestic premises. The longest unit reaches 144 m with a maximum width of 30 m. Displacement - 21560 t. There is no propulsion system of its own and therefore needs towing assistance to move the power unit. During operation, the PEB remains at the necessary coastal facilities and is connected to communications.
Floating power unit during towing in Pevek, August 2019
The basis for the power plant are two reactor units KLT-40С developed by OKBM them. Afrikantov connected to two steam turbine plants. Using reactors and other on-board equipment, electricity is generated and water is heated. In the nominal mode, “Academician Lomonosov” should provide 60 MW of electricity and 50 Gcal / h of heat to the shore. By reducing the output of warm water, energy capacity can be brought up to 70 MW. There is a mode of increased heat transfer - 145 Gcal / h at 30 MW of electricity. An additional function of the FNPP is the desalination of sea water - estimated from 40 to 240 thousand cubic meters of fresh water per day.
The declared characteristics allow the new type of FNPP to provide heat and electricity to a settlement with 100 thousand inhabitants. For comparison, the entire population of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug is about half that.
The work of the PSU is provided by a crew of 70 people. For them, on board the vessel there are cabins, a galley with a dining room, a library, etc. A medical unit with modern equipment is provided. The presence of powerful heat sources on board made it possible to organize a bath and a sauna.
Onshore facilities built in Pevek include protective and energy systems. So, the place at the pier for the "Academician Lomonosov" is protected by a special pier, which prevents the passage of waves or a pile of ice. In this case, the hydrothermal characteristics of the water area remain at the desired values. Systems have been deployed on the shore to receive energy and heat from the side of the PSU and to transfer them to existing lines.
The assigned lifetime of the FNPP is 40 years. Before the factory repair, the station will work for 12 years. All basic operations during operation are carried out by the power unit independently and using the equipment on board. However, some operations and procedures can only be performed in a shipyard.
The prospects of the FNPP
"Academician Lomonosov" is not yet in operation, but there are already all reasons for optimism - both in the context of a specific project, and in relation to the entire direction. The first domestic floating nuclear power plant has been successfully completed and is heading to the duty station and will soon be able to show its full potential.
The existence of the Akademik Lomonosov PEB demonstrates the ability of the Russian industry to create such complex projects of a special kind and of special significance. With appropriate orders, Rosatom and the United Shipbuilding Corporation may build new FNPPs to work in other areas. In addition, a new generation of such power plants is already being developed, based on other technologies.
The main objective of the FNPP is the power supply of remote areas where the construction of power plants of a traditional look is unprofitable or impossible. So, at the stage of development of the "Academician Lomonosov" several options for the location of the future station were considered - it could go to Chukotka or stay in Severodvinsk. The transfer of PEB to Kamchatka was also considered. Later, after the city of Pevek was chosen as the duty station, statements were made about the need to deploy the 5-7 FNPP in different parts of the country.
Serial construction of the FNPP will make it possible to solve the problems of energy supply in hard-to-reach regions isolated from common energy systems and supplied mainly by sea. First of all, this applies to the cities of the Arctic and the Far East.
However, the solution to such problems is not simple and cheap. The project "Academician Lomonosov" has been repeatedly criticized because of the considerable cost, which also increased during construction. Nevertheless, we are talking about an infrastructure project of great importance, laying the foundation for the development of regional economies, and therefore payback issues may go by the wayside.
international market
With the FNPP project, Rosatom can enter the international market. It is already known that some foreign countries experiencing problems with energy supply are showing interest in such developments. Negotiations are underway with the states of Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. Also, some island countries are interested in the topic.
The construction of floating power plants requires special competencies that are available in only a few countries. Thus, the presence of PEB and FNPP projects gives Russia special advantages in the international market of energy systems and power plants. There is every reason to believe that Rosatom and USC will succeed in turning the interest of potential customers into real contracts.
Our country already has experience in the “export” of nuclear power plants, which may attract new customers. In addition, the launch of the operation of the Academician Lomonosov will be a good advertisement for our FNPPs. While there is every reason for positive forecasts, and you can count on obtaining the desired results.
However, attempts to promote the FNPP in the world may face opposition from a third party. So last news about towing the "Academician Lomonosov" to Pevek entailed a shaft of publications in the foreign press, some of which are clearly critical. They mention the whole set of stamps about the dangers of nuclear energy, and also stipulate various threats to the station.
It is hardly possible to say with certainty that such publications are solely concerned with nature and people. They are very similar to the attempts that have already taken place to spoil the reputation of the project and, accordingly, worsen its commercial prospects. It is possible that this is an attempt at unfair competition.
On the eve of launch
In the coming weeks, Akademik Lomonosov will arrive at the duty station and will be docked on-board systems with coastal infrastructure. By the end of the year, commissioning will take place, and Chukotka will receive a new energy facility of special significance. Moreover, such events will be important not only for the Autonomous Okrug, but also for several industries and for the whole country.
The success of the first floating nuclear power plant will be the impetus for the construction of new such vessels for their own needs and for export. In the near future, the only FNPP will be operated in Pevek, but in the future such facilities may appear in other places - both in Russia and abroad. Perhaps in the future this direction will be developed, and we can talk about a real revolution in the energy sector. In the meantime, the main task is to launch the "Academician Lomonosov" at the designated duty station.
Information