Implementing a pressurized water reactor nuclear power plant model into grid simulations

A pressurized water reactor (PWR) nuclear power plant model (NPP) representing one unit of the Palo Verde Nuclear Power Generating Station is incorporated into Positive Sequence Load Flow (PSLF) software. The nuclear steam supply system (NSSS) model comprises a point kinetics description of neutronics and thermodynamics in the reactor core, pressurizer, plenums, hot and cold legs. In addition, the PWR considered here utilizes a recirculation (U-tube) steam generator. A sliding-average-temperature control program for the reactor, pressurizer pressure controller, and simple turbine and governor models are also developed. Subsequently, the NSSS representation is implemented into PSLF by user-defined modeling. Simulation results of isolated plant for a step change in reactivity due to control rod withdrawal are presented and then effect of a disturbance in the medium-sized power system on the developed model of NPP is evaluated.