Dispatch Optimization, System Design and Cost Benefit Analysis of a Nuclear Reactor with Molten Salt Thermal Storage
Variable renewable energy availability has increased the volatility in energy prices in most markets. Nuclear power plants, with a large ratio of capital to variable costs, have historically operated as base load energy suppliers but the need for more flexible operation is increasing. We simulate the techno-economic performance of a 950 MWt nuclear power plant, based on the Westinghouse lead-cooled fast reactor, coupled with molten salt thermal storage as a method for flexible energy dispatch. We use the System Advisor Model to model the nuclear reactor thermal power input and power cycle operating modes. We combine this robust engineering model with a mixed-integer linear program model for optimized dispatch scheduling. We then simulate the coupled nuclear and thermal storage system under different market scenarios with varying price volatility. We find that the coupled plant outperforms the base plant under markets where energy price peaks fluctuate by a factor of two or more about the mean price. We show that a calculated power purchase agreement price for the plant improves by up to 10% when operating under California energy market conditions. Sensitivity analysis on the thermal storage cost shows that the optimal design remains unchanged even when doubling costs.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC36-08GO28308; NE0008988
- OSTI ID:
- 1867920
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/JA-5700-82472; PII: en15103599
- Journal Information:
- Energies, Journal Name: Energies Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 15; ISSN 1996-1073; ISSN ENERGA
- Publisher:
- MDPI AGCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- Switzerland
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Optimal Sizing and Dispatch of Solar Power with Storage
Performance analysis of integrated Nuclear-Solar Energy system sharing same molten salt thermal energy storage