The Potential Role for New Nuclear in the U.S. Power System: A View from Electricity System Modelers
There are diverse views on the role nuclear power might play in a decarbonized energy system, with some vocal viewpoints suggesting nuclear should either have no role or that nuclear should be a key pillar. Here we present a perspective on the role of nuclear power based on our collective experience in modeling nuclear power within the decarbonized U.S. power systems. We summarize the costs of current reactor development projects, and compare their stated costs with the costs that our models indicate is necessary in order to see deployment of new nuclear. We also discuss aspects of new nuclear deployment that are not included in our models but can influence decisions about whether to invest in new nuclear capacity.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC36-08GO28308
- OSTI ID:
- 1969271
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/JA-6A40-85156; MainId:85929; UUID:06ddb383-cde8-4060-b4f6-99fd8d18aaac; MainAdminID:69262
- Journal Information:
- The Electricity Journal, Vol. 36, Issue 2-3
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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