The world's first proven Generation III+ pressurized water reactor and passive safety plant available.
The AP1000® Plant is a two-loop pressurized water reactor (PWR) that uses a simplified, innovative and effective approach to safety. With a gross power rating of 3,415 megawatt thermal (MWt) and a nominal net electrical output of 1,110 megawatt electric (MWe), the AP1000® Plant, with a 157-fuel-assembly core, is ideal for new baseload generation.
Simplified Plant Design
Simplification was a major design objective of the AP1000® Plant. Simplifications in overall safety systems, normal operating systems, the control room, construction techniques, and instrumentation and control systems provide a plant that is easier and less expensive to build, operate and maintain. Plant simplifications yield fewer components, cable and seismic building volume, all of which contribute to considerable savings in capital investment, and lower operation and maintenance costs. At the same time, the safety margins for the AP1000® Plant have been increased dramatically over currently operating plants.
The Technology
The AP1000® PWR is comprised of components that incorporate many design improvements distilled from 50 years of successful operating nuclear power plant experience. The reactor vessel and internals, steam generator, fuel and pressurizer designs are improved versions of those found in currently operating Westinghouse-designed PWRs. The reactor coolant pumps are canned-motor pumps, the type used in many other industrial applications where reliability and long life are paramount requirements.