ESBWR Nuclear Reactor

The Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor (ESBWR) is the latest evolution of GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy's proven advanced Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) technology. This simplified design provides better safety and plant security, a broad seismic design envelope, greater economy, and operational flexibility. The ESBWR is the safest current nuclear plant design, exceeding U.S. safety standards 100-fold and produces nearly zero greenhouse gas emissions.

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Features & Benefits

Simplified design builds on proven technology, increasing fuel efficiency yet decreasing overall operation and maintenance costs
Sophisticated control systems – fully digital, providing reliable and accurate plant monitoring, control, and diagnostics
Enhanced safety compliance with three layers of protection during an accident and the highest regulatory ratings
Expedited, economical construction schedule due to pre-licensed design and standardized modules
Experienced global supply chain team with referenced construction schedule of 36 months
Environmentally friendly with nearly zero greenhouse gas emissions – equal to taking 1.5 million cars off the road
Currently in the U.S. Design Certification process

Regional Considerations
Ideal for regions requiring massive amounts of electricity, but wishing to limit CO2 emissions.

The ESBWR design is in certification process for the U.S.
Design
The ESBWR is a simplified design that builds on the inherent advantages of BWR designs and the proven operation at BWRs Dodewaard and Humboldt Bay, where natural circulation designs have been implemented. The passive safety design features of the ESBWR rely on natural forces like gravity, evaporation, and condensation rather than 'active' systems that rely on pumps and valves to ensure safety in the event of a malfunction.

Simplified passive natural circulation design eliminates 11 systems and 25 percent of pumps, valves, and motors from previous designs decreasing maintenance and increasing worker safety.

BWR features, including isolation condensers, natural circulation, and debris-resistant fuel, are operationally proven and provide multiple levels of protection for the outside environment.

Very reliable passive Emergency Core Cooling System provides a large margin for loss of cooling accidents.

Full engineering before on-site work and standardized modules result in expedited construction schedule.

The advanced construction techniques and management philosophies deployed in construction of 8 Generation III ABWR plants are currently being integrated into both the design and construction plan of the ESBWR.

Incorporating current construction experience and modularization into the design is the foundation for a reference construction schedule of 36 months for the ESBWR.
Specifications
Output Power: 1520 MW net

Emissions: Nearly zero greenhouse gas emissions

Lifetime: 60 years

Core Damage Frequency: 2 E-8, the safest in the industry by a factor of ten

Availability and Capacity Factor: 95% with a capacity factor greater than the current BWR fleet's average of 92%

Cycle Length: 24-month cycles GEH BWRs represent the top six longest running light water reactors. Half of the top twenty longest running reactors are GEH BWRs owned by 5 independent utilities. ESBWR builds on this proven operational superiority of the BWR.
On-site Capabilities

GEH's ESBWR design brings the upmost confidence to nuclear investors and regulators. GEH's record of highest construction safety and quality, combined with a superior simplified design, integrated with having the only Generation III startup experience to achieve unmatched confidence for potential investors and regulators.
Customization

For new international projects, the specific site and customer requirements such as labor availability, logistics and shipping restrictions, and local manufacturing capabilities are incorporated into a local delivery plan. Based on these requirements, the modular construction approach successfully used for the ABWR is modified for the ESBWR allowing for an efficient and personalized delivery of ESBWR.

GE Energy

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ESBWR Nuclear Reactor

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ESBWR Nuclear Reactor

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