Nuclear Fuel Cycle Cost Calculator

Based on work performed by DOE-NE’s Systems Analysis and Integration Campaign

Once-through fuel cycle

In this approach, natural uranium is converted to low-enriched uranium (LEU) oxide fuel. Power plant operators then use the fuel to generate electricity in a standard light water cooled nuclear reactor before sending the fuel directly to storage and geologic disposal. The once-through fuel cycle is the basis upon which all other fuel cycle approaches are compared in this calculator.

 

Recalculating Here

Once-Through Calculator (EG01) Levelized Cost of Electricity

  Once-through default Current
Data
Reactor Capital Recovery Cost ($/MWh) 30.6 30.6
Fuel Cost ($/MWh) 8.3 8.3
Reactor Operation And Maintenance Cost ($/MWh) 10.6 10.6
  ===== =====
Total Levelized Cost of Electricity ($/MWh) 49.5 49.5
  Recommended Range Value
Overnight reactor capital cost ($/kWe)
Discount rate (1=100%)
Years for reactor construction
Annual interest rate during construction - compounded quarterly (1=100%)
Reactor capacity factor (1=100%)
Reactor operation and maintenance fixed costs ($/kWe-y)
Reactor operation and maintenance variable cost ($/MWh)
Uranium cost as yellowcake (U3O8)($/kgU)
Enrichment cost ($/kgSWU)
Fabrication cost of low-enriched uranium oxide fuel ($/kg of enriched U)
Conversion cost ($/kgU product)
De-conversion cost of depleted uranium from UF6 to U3O8 for disposal ($/kgU)
Conditioning cost of SNF before shipping ($/kgHM)
Geologic disposal cost of SNF ($/kgHM)
Disposal cost of depleted uranium as U3O8 ($/kgDU)

Sliding bars are provided for convenience: However, users can input values beyond the boundaries of the sliding bars, if so desired, by simply typing the desired value in the boxes next to the sliding bars. The variables for which input values are to be defined are explained in the glossary.