International Reactor Innovative and Secure

This causes it to have a larger pressure vessel than an ordinary PWR despite a lower power rating, the size is more comparable to that of an ABWR.

Many of these design goals coincide with the objectives of the GNEP program launched by the Bush Administration.

This longer life is accomplished by having a very large core running a relatively low power plant.

While the containment will be smaller than typical plants, it will also be rated for a higher maximum pressure, increasing costs.

IRIS, on the other hand, is built to be used in countries where there are not extremely large electric power grids, mainly developing nations.

Due to simplifications and greater safety, it is believed by Westinghouse that in spite of its size, analysis estimated a target total cost of electricity at about 4 ¢/kWh.

Aside from economics, these are a few other advantages that the IRIS has: Compared to Generation III reactors, there are a lot more innovations that may require further investment and research.