Power Peaking, Critical Boron, and Shutdown Margin Benchmark of the UK Hinkley Point C EPR using WIMS-PANTHER Deterministic Codes

For the first time, this work contributes a WIMS-PANTHER-based deterministic computation model of the Hinkley Point C's European pressurised reactors (EPR) start-up core being constructed as the first nuclear newbuilt of the UK after a 30-year break. Cross sections library parameterised with operating conditions branches are prepared using WIMS 10, while full-core three dimensional analysis is performed using PANTHER, obtaining the power peaking factors, critical boron concentration, and the shutdown margin that inform the nuclear policymaker.