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Title: Nuclear-renewable hybrid energy systems: Opportunities, interconnections, and needs

Abstract

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. Thus, 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. This 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. Additionally, 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.

Authors:
; ; ; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1127180
Report Number(s):
INL/JOU-13-28943
Journal ID: ISSN 0196-8904
DOE Contract Number:  
AC07-05ID14517
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Energy Conversion and Management
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 78; Journal Issue: C; Journal ID: ISSN 0196-8904
Publisher:
Elsevier
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION; hybrid systems; nuclear energy; renewable energy

Citation Formats

Ruth, Mark F., Zinaman, Owen R., Antkowiak, Mark, Boardman, Richard D., Cherry, Robert S., and Bazilian, Morgan D. Nuclear-renewable hybrid energy systems: Opportunities, interconnections, and needs. United States: N. p., 2014. Web. doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2013.11.030.
Ruth, Mark F., Zinaman, Owen R., Antkowiak, Mark, Boardman, Richard D., Cherry, Robert S., & Bazilian, Morgan D. Nuclear-renewable hybrid energy systems: Opportunities, interconnections, and needs. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2013.11.030
Ruth, Mark F., Zinaman, Owen R., Antkowiak, Mark, Boardman, Richard D., Cherry, Robert S., and Bazilian, Morgan D. 2014. "Nuclear-renewable hybrid energy systems: Opportunities, interconnections, and needs". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2013.11.030.
@article{osti_1127180,
title = {Nuclear-renewable hybrid energy systems: Opportunities, interconnections, and needs},
author = {Ruth, Mark F. and Zinaman, Owen R. and Antkowiak, Mark and Boardman, Richard D. and Cherry, Robert S. and Bazilian, Morgan D.},
abstractNote = {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. Thus, 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. This 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. Additionally, 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.},
doi = {10.1016/j.enconman.2013.11.030},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1127180}, journal = {Energy Conversion and Management},
issn = {0196-8904},
number = C,
volume = 78,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 2014},
month = {Sat Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 2014}
}

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Works referencing / citing this record:

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


Harmonizing nuclear and renewable energy: Case studies
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