Role of Nuclear Power in Large-Scale Power Production in Russia in the 21st Century

Abstract

The results are summarized of investigations performed over the last 20 years which culminated in the current fundamental formulation of the problem of nuclear power based on fast reactors and the basic criteria for such nuclear power in the strategy for growth and which served as a scientific basis for the preparation of the initiative of the President of the Russian Federation. These investigations have shown that the experience gained over half a century and the technologies developed in Russia permit developing and demonstrating at the start of the century a fast reactor which meets the requirements of large-scale nuclear power. An experimental prototype of such a reactor (BREST-300) has been designed and R&D work substantiating the design is continuing.