The fast-neutron breeder fission reactor - General discussion

A. D. Evans (BNFL, Risley, U. K.). I am sceptical about the claim that small reactors (150 MWe for example) can compete economically with large ones. I have yet to see a convincing demonstration that economics of scale can be beaten. J. D. Griffith (DOE, U. S. A.). Our estimates were made by experienced industrial concerns such as General Electric and Bechtel and in the DOE we have a disciplined estimating system. In my illustrations economies of scale were indicated for both LWRS and coal plants. The same slope applied to modular reactors. The differences lie in cost savings due to safety features, replication and modular, rapid construction (e.g. less than four years) so we feel we can beat economies of scale.