Researchers who follow the energy market predict that the corporation will at least not be caught by the commencement of regular production of the Olkiluoto triple reactor in December as planned.
The trial operation of the Olkiluoto triple will be postponed by a few weeks due to the automation update on the turbine side, according to a statement released on Thursday by the power utility Teollisuuden Voima (TVO).
Olkiluoto 3 and Delay go together like a shirt and a butt. 2009 was the original target date for the plant’s completion.
The most current pledge states that regular electricity production will begin in December. TVO guarantees that this schedule is unaffected by the most recent modification.
Since Europe is in danger of experiencing a historic energy crisis in the winter, new plant output is anticipated for a considerable amount of time. Russian energy departure will result in higher costs and perhaps the possibility of an electrical crisis.
It is uncertain whether TVO will abide by its timetable commitment. At the very least, according to the energy market researchers HS spoke with, the corporation won’t catch it.
“Everyone is keen to obtain [Olkiluoto 3] as soon as possible for business purposes, and there are huge financial stakes involved. I think the department is making a lot of effort to put it to use “Samuli Honkapuro, a LUT professor at Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology and an expert in the electrical market, says.
Iivo Vehviläinen, an economist and researcher at Aalto University, claims that commissioning a new nuclear power station is usually challenging. As a result, there is a chance that implementation will be put off even longer. Vehviläinen advises you to be prepared for that.
“All across the world, new nuclear power plants are intricate structures. Overcoming the initial challenges takes time, “Vehviläinen explains.
The reliability of the electricity provided by the first two Olkiluoto plants boosts confidence in the newest reactor as well.
Although the station reporter has faced his own challenges, Vehviläinen notes that TVO is widely regarded as a professional organization in Finland.
The triple reactor at Olkiluoto is 13 years behind schedule, and the fresh delay announcements had plenty of time to turn into a joke before Russia declared war. The beginning of normal energy production was most recently pushed out from September to December during the summer.
The plant has been in trial operation; however, it was stopped in June due to a technical issue. Finally, the test drive continued on Monday. Safety is prioritized during commissioning. Even though there is a lot of pressure, nobody wants a nuclear power plant to start up quickly.
According to estimations, the reactor generates about 14% of all the electricity produced in Finland when it is running at 1,600 megawatts of power. Previously, Finland imported almost the same quantity of electricity from Russia, but that supply has gone out.
According to Honkapuro and Vehviläinen, the position of Olkiluoto 3 in relation to the upcoming winter and the sustainability of the power system is not as crucial as the growth of the European electricity market and the situation regarding the dependence on electricity imports.
Vehviläinen took part in an Aalto University experiment where a team of academics simulated the effects of the end of Russian energy imports on the Finnish power market and supply security.
Researchers claim that Olkiluoto 3’s ability to produce power has little impact on the overall situation under various circumstances.
“Although it lessens delivery reliability in terms of projected value, it is not necessarily a catastrophe. It’s possible that we can live without it as well “Vehviläinen argues.
Olkiluoto is a threat to the system, but the suspension of import connections is a bigger danger.
Finland participates in the export of power to markets in Europe where prices are highest. Electricity costs in Finland and the availability of imported electrical are influenced by the situation of the electricity markets in the Nordic and Central European nations.
Energy prices in Europe are rising at an unprecedented rate. It’s challenging to cut off Russian energy. At the same time as climate change is heating up France’s nuclear power grid, a drought in Norway is making it harder to store hydropower for the winter.
The biggest risk, in accordance with Aalto researchers, emerges if a domino effect occurs in the European energy market, that is, if nations begin prioritizing the security of their own energy supply.
According to Vehviläinen, Olkiluoto 3’s consequences were not as significant as how import linkages operate.
On the other hand, it is currently impossible to predict the type of winter that will arrive.
Finland’s expanding wind power capacity spins electricity into houses when it’s pleasant and breezy. With extreme frost, there is frequently a lull. When the requirement for electricity is at its peak, either consistent generation or import is required.
“Olkiluoto 3 and additional imports would still be required during the chilly winter months. However, the volume of imports during the winter is multiplied by Olkiluoto, “Vehviläinen says.
Finland’s electricity consumption increased to 14,230 megawatts per hour on average in the morning of January of last year as a result of the freezing season. At that time, Finland imported 4,610 megawatts of power from its neighbors, while it produced 9,620 megawatts on its own.
Olkiluoto 3’s own production would be 11,090 megawatts if Russian imports were replaced by it, while imports would remain at 3,140 megawatts.
The worst case situation would be for Olkiluoto 3 to not operate, imports to freeze, and the wind to settle down. Electricity would therefore need to be restricted.
Even though a further delay of the triple reaction is feasible, the system would still be able to function.
Even now, the situation is really difficult, and during the winter, when usage increases, we frequently experience sharp price hikes, according to Honkapuro of LUT.
Honkapuro stresses the value of adaptability in consumption in extreme circumstances. Typically, consumption peaks only happen during a few of the day’s most crucial hours for the system’s resilience. Additionally, you can reduce your electricity costs.