Analysis of right sized reactors for an emerging nation in nuclear power

Nations seek to establish nuclear power within their borders to meet their growing demand for energy. This analysis compares and contrasts the use of the industry standard 1.5 GWe light-water reactor and a smaller 500 MWe CANDU-type reactor in the implementation of nuclear power in relation to material accumulation, fuel cycle process capacity, economics and nonproliferation. The fuel cycle analysis uses the Material, Economics and Proliferation Assessment Tool (MEPAT) developed as a part of dissertation research at the University of Illinois. MEPAT calculates material and fuel cycle process capacity requirements as well as economic and nonproliferation measures. The paper begins with a brief overview of the methods used in MEPAT. The scenario for analysis uses estimates of nuclear power implementation for the Kingdom of Jordan. The analysis then gives results for the two distinct reactor types and discusses factors in implementation.