TECHNOLOGY

Nuclear power stations generate electricity from energy produced by the fission, or splitting, of uranium atoms, which takes place in a nuclear reactor.

This process needs to be managed very carefully because of the significant energy released. It is controlled by the use of a 'moderator', which serves to slow down the high speed neutrons travelling around the reactor core. All reactors have sufficient safety mechanisms to shut them down completely and fail-safes to ensure that this occurs in the event of any potential incident. The new generation of nuclear power stations will be extremely safe, clean and efficient.

The UK's industry regulators (the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and the Environment Agency (EA) are currently carrying out a process, called the 'Generic Design Assessment' or GDA, to evaluate the safety, security and environmental implications of new power station designs. The GDA is currently assessing two types of reactor technology for potential use in the UK, AREVA's EPR and Westinghouse Electric Company's (WEC) AP1000. Both technologies are Pressurised Water Reactors (PWR).

For more information on the GDA process, click here.

AREVA's EPR

Westinghouse Electric Company's (WEC) AP1000