A generation II reactor is a design classification for a nuclear reactor, and refers to the class of commercial reactors built up to the end of the 1990's. Prototypical generation II reactors include the PWR, CANDU, BWR, AGR, and VVER.

These are contrasted to generation I reactors, which refer to the early prototype and power reactors, such as Shippingport, Magnox, Fermi 1, and Dresden.

The nomenclature for reactor designs, describing four 'generations', was proposed by the US Department of Energy when it introduced the concept of Generation IV reactors.

See also

• Generation III reactor.
• Generation IV reactor.
• List of reactor types.

References

External links

• Nuclear Reactors Knowledge Base at IAEA
• Gen IV at US DOE