Unit 1 of Russia’s Novovoronezh II NPP (also known as Novovoronezh 6) is to be operated in load-following mode.

Rosenergoatom said this “will allow it to use its resource more efficiently, adapting to the needs of the power grid and participating in the regulation of the load of the country's unified energy system”.  

Regulator Rostekhnadzor confirmed the safety of such operation, after a careful examination of the documents prepared by the plant.

Pilot operation in load-following mode will begin immediately after completion of registration of the relevant changes under the terms of it operating  licence. This will involve several different changes in the power during the day, depending on the requirements of the power grid.

“During the trial operation, the change in power in the ranges of 96-71-96% and 96-46-96% of the rated power will be investigated; the operation of all the systems and equipment involved will be tested; control algorithms and personnel will be worked out; solutions for minimising heat jumps will be tested; and fuel and optimisation of the water-chemical regime will be monitored," said Igor Gusev, deputy chief engineer at Novovoronezh NPP .

Based on the results of the work and consideration of reporting documents in Rostekhnadzor, a decision will be made on the possibility of operating the unit regularly in load-following mode, taking into account the results of the trial operation.
                                                                                
The experimental data obtained will also be used for the subsequent implementation of  load following at the VVER-TOI power units being constructed at the Kursk II NPP  and power units designed for the Paks II NPP  in Hungary. State nuclear corporation Rosatom believes this should increase the competitiveness of new projects.


Photo: Novovoronezh II-1 is to start pilot operation in load-following mode (Credit: Rosenergoatom)