VTT technology strategy in novel base load concepts

One third of the power generation capacity in Europe is older than 30 years. The new replacement capacity has been estimated to be 550 GW by 2030. Modernization of current power generation capacity can make it more environmentally friendly by reducing emissions, while simultaneously improving efficiency. Development of both the coal fired power plants as well as the high efficiency advanced nuclear power plants is needed to replace the ageing existing base load capacity. The media for heat transfer to be used in new power plant concepts is either super-critical water, e.g., fluid or very high temperature inert gas. The development of new power generation concepts has brought the coal fired concepts closer to the nuclear reactor concepts, producing similar challenges, excluding irradiation effects. The idea of the Key Technology Action (KTA) initiated by VTT is to focus the research efforts at VTT on the future power generation concepts, development and maintenance of testing facilities needed as well as training of personnel. At the moment the KTA of energy production novel base load concepts covers: * Process development for novel base load concepts * Material design, life time management and ageing / degradation mechanisms * Zero emission concepts. VTT has accumulated experience in the fields of reactor and boiler material research, oxygen combustion concepts, and in the modelling of nuclear reactor operation and safety. The KTA intends to join these activities for developing novel base-load concepts. The KTA activity can lean on the existing knowledge from coal fired and nuclear plants. However, totally new challenges are new temperature range defined for Super Critical Light Water Reactors (SCLWR), and the behaviour of SC fluid as a coolant. Particularly challenging will be material selection for these operational conditions, taking into account mechanical and corrosion resistance under irradiated conditions.