Panel discussion

Sir Francis Tombs> Chairman

What are the prospects for gas-cooled reactors in power generation in West Germany and the USA? Why is it possible, particularly in the USA, to extend the role of the HTR to low grade heat without assuming it will also encroach on bulk power generation?

J, D. Griffith

The US government would have difficulty in justifying the development of a competitor to the LWR, which is viewed as completely adequate for electricity generation. If the gas-cooled reactor were to become competitive in the electrical industry then another concern would have to develop it. Nobody in the USA is willing to do this. Therefore, we are looking at applications where the gas-cooled reactorTs high temperatures could make unique contributions. In these areas development work can be done. If in this process the gas-cooled reactor becomes an economical competitor to the LWR for electricity generation it would be up to the utilities to make use of the reactor.