A new project of verifying how effectively a power block can function in the load-following mode has commenced at the Novovoronezh NPP 6th power block with a VVER-1200 reactor. This will help the plant utilize its resources in a more efficient manner by adapting itself to the requirements of the electric power network and taking part in adjusting the load of the National Grid.

Rostekhnadzor has issued an applicable positive expert report having carefully reviewed all documents prepared by the Novovoronezh NPP to justify the safety of operating the 6th power block in such mode.

Trial operation of the Novovoronezh NPP 6th power block in the load-following mode will begin once the applicable changes to the operational license have been introduced. Currently, the Novovoronezh NPP 6th power block is being prepared for operation in a daily power adjustment mode, which presupposes multiple measurements of the power block’s capacity during the day depending on the power grid requirements.

‘During the pilot operation, we will review the capacity changes in the ranges of 96-71-96% and 96-46-96% of the designed one, check the operation of all systems and equipment involved, practice the management and staff operation algorithms, trial run the solutions to minimize the fuel thermal capacity leaps and optimize the water-chemical mode’, Igor Gusev, the deputy chief engineer in charge of the Novovoronezh NPP phase 4 operation, said.

Following the activities completed and the review of the reports at Rostekhnadzor, a decision will be made on whether it is possible to operate the Novovoronezh NPP 6th power block in the daily load bearing scheduled taking into account the solutions implemented during the trial run.

The experimental data obtained will also be used to subsequently implement load-following modes for the VVER-TOI power block projects, in particular, the Kursk NPP power blocks under construction and the Paksh II NPP (Hungary) power blocks in design. This will help the new projects designed by the Rosatom State Corporation gain a competitive advantage.