ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the alternatives and evaluates historical trends in costs, and expectations for the future of these technologies. It includes an explanation of data bases developed by the Advanced Engineering Department (AED) of United Engineers including the DOE sponsored Economic Data Base which includes capital, fuel and operating and maintenance costs for 13 different types of nuclear and coal-fired units. The chapter provides a historical view of the changes in costs in nuclear and coal plants, followed by an evaluation of current costs. It discusses the future of coal and nuclear power, highlighting the major factors that will impact power plant costs in the future. The data base contains historic capital, fuel, and operating and maintenance costs for different types of nuclear stations, and comparison coal-fired power generating stations. Modular units would provide flexible expansion; the ability to expand plants quickly and inexpensively to allow for following low load growth patterns.
