The Relevance Of Load Following Capability Of Nuclear Power Plant For The South African Grid

ABSTRACT

The main focus of this study is to evaluate whether load following operation can be

performed using the existing South African nuclear power plant. Of which, knowing that

will assist in determining whether the addition of load following capabilities on the

planned nuclear fleet is justifiable or not. In this report the relevance of Koeberg Nuclear

Power Plant to adapt to the demand is examined and the effects on plant operation

simulated. The report analyses the operation of the existing nuclear power plant (Koeberg

units) in South Africa and describes the regulations that govern safe operation of the

plant. The Koeberg plant is analyzed based on the current design i.e. operating as a baseload

station. This allows a prediction of the Koeberg plant response to big load variations.

The simulation results of the load variation are analyzed and the results used to make the

conclusion that the Koeberg units are not capable of load following safely. Modifying the

Koeberg units from being base load station to load following will require changing the

Safety Analysis Report and therefore affect the Koeberg license NIL-01.