NEST

In 2009–2012 the IAEA INPRO section has developed a set of Excel spreadsheets called NEST (NESA Economics Support Tool) for calculation of basic economics functions of the Nuclear Power Plants. NEST was designed to calculate LUEC (levelised unit electricity cost), NPV (net present value), IRR (internal rate of return), ROI (return of investment), sensitivity characteristics for different types of NPPs and fuel cycles. Excel calculations of NEST comprise a combination of ca. 50 sheets with several hundred of tables and macros. In 2014-2016 INPRO performed a benchmark of NEST against G4ECONS (a code developed by GIF EMWG). NEST calculations requires some optimisation, unification of options throughout the different modules, improvement of user interface (UI), and incorporation of cost sensitivity diagram. User Technical manual needs to be developed to cover needs for the experts performing calculation as well as for those updating and maintaining the tool. The data entry, processing and storing system needs some enhancement to match with the IT changes.