Nuclear-renewable hybrid energy systems: Opportunities, interconnections, and needs
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Joint Inst. for Strategic Energy Analysis, Golden, CO (United States)
As the U.S. energy system evolves, the amount of electricity from variable-generation sources is likely to increase, which could result in additional times when electricity demand is lower than available production. Therefore, purveyors of technologies that traditionally have provided base-load electricity—such as nuclear power plants—can explore new operating procedures to deal with the associated market signals. Concurrently, innovations in nuclear reactor design coupled with sophisticated control systems now allow for more complex apportionment of heat within an integrated system such as one linked to energy-intensive chemical processes. Our paper explores one opportunity – nuclear-renewable hybrid energy systems. These are defined as integrated facilities comprised of nuclear reactors, renewable energy generation, and industrial processes that can simultaneously address the need for grid flexibility, greenhouse gas emission reductions, and optimal use of investment capital. Six aspects of interaction (interconnections) between elements of nuclear-renewable hybrid energy systems are identified: Thermal, electrical, chemical, hydrogen, mechanical, and information. In addition, system-level aspects affect selection, design, and operation of this hybrid system type. Throughout the paper, gaps and research needs are identified to promote further exploration of the topic.
- Research Organization:
- Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC07-05ID14517
- OSTI ID:
- 1357209
- Report Number(s):
- INL/JOU-14-33322; PII: S0196890413007516
- Journal Information:
- Energy Conversion and Management, Vol. 78, Issue C; ISSN 0196-8904
- Publisher:
- ElsevierCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Web of Science
Vanadium-Based Cathode Materials for Rechargeable Multivalent Batteries: Challenges and Opportunities
|
journal | June 2018 |
Analysis of Nuclear Renewable Hybrid Energy Systems Modeling and Nuclear Fuel Cycle Simulators
|
journal | July 2018 |
Enhancing Electric Grid, Critical Infrastructure, and Societal Resilience with Resilient Nuclear Power Plants (rNPPs)
|
journal | August 2018 |
Harmonizing nuclear and renewable energy: Case studies
|
journal | November 2019 |
Similar Records
Materials Challenges and Opportunities for Energy Generation, Conversion, Delivery, and Storage (Applied Energy Tri-Laboratory Consortium Workshop Report)
Opportunity to Plug Your Car Into the Electric Grid is Arriving