Handbook of Generation IV Nuclear Reactors presents information on the current fleet of Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) with water-cooled reactors (Generation III and III+) (96% of 430 power reactors in the world) that have relatively low thermal efficiencies (within the range of 32 36%) compared to those of modern advanced thermal power plants (combined cycle gas-fired power plants - up to 62% and supercritical pressure coal-fired power plants - up to 55%).

Moreover, thermal efficiency of the current fleet of NPPs with water-cooled reactors cannot be increased significantly...