scholarly journals Systemic competitiveness of nuclear energy sources*

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 271-277
Author(s):  
Vladimir Usanov
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Nuclear Energy ◽  
Unit Cost ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Electricity Cost ◽  
Integrated Energy Systems ◽  
The Cost

Possibilities are analyzed for improving the commercial attractiveness of nuclear electricity generation in market conditions. A model is presented in which a financially integrated electricity generating system comprising several units of one technological type, rather than a single unit, is subject to an economic analysis. Issues have been considered involved in the calculation of the electricity cost in such systems and their construction. It has been shown that the calculated unit cost of the electricity generated in a financially integrated nuclear energy system with the number of units being more than one, provided it is financed by shareholders and creditors, can be lower as compared with the cost of the electricity generated by power units, not integrated economically, of the same capacity under the same investment conditions.The effect is achieved thanks to the short-term crediting component in the electricity cost the funds on which can be returned, at a time, for a smaller number of units (even for only one), as electricity is produced by all units in the system. The results of the calculations for nuclear energy sources and combined-cycle plants using the developed model make it possible to conclude that the switch from economic models of individual nuclear units to models of integrated energy systems can bring the calculated economic performance of nuclear power closer to (or better) the performance of fossil-fuel energy sources. If achieved, this may increase the commercial attractiveness of nuclear power and contribute to a growth in the public and private investments in nuclear power business.

Developing an Integrated Energy System Interface for Electricity-Hydrogen Hybrid Nuclear Operations

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-96
Author(s):  
Thomas A. Ulrich ◽  
Roger Lew ◽  
Ronald L. Boring ◽  
Torrey Mortenson ◽  
Jooyoung Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Electricity Markets ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Human Factors Engineering ◽  
Engineering Project ◽  
Early Integration ◽  
Integrated Energy Systems

Nuclear power plants are looking towards integrated energy systems to address the challenges faced by increasing competition from renewable energy and cheap natural gas in wholesale electricity markets. Electricity-hydrogen hybrid operations is one potential technology being explored. As part of this investigation a human factors team was integrated into the overall engineering project to develop a human system interface (HSI) for a novel system to extract steam for a coupled hydrogen production process. This paper presents the process used to perform the nuclear specific human factors engineering required to develop the HSI for this novel and unprecedented system. Furthermore, the early integration of the human factors team and the meaningful improvements to the engineering of the system itself in addition to the successful development of the HSI for this particular application are described. Lastly, the HSI developed is presented to demonstrate the culmination of the process and disseminate a potential HSI design for electricity-hydrogen hybrid operations that may be useful for others exploring similar integrated energy systems concepts.

scholarly journals Preventing Nuclear Weapon Proliferation as Nuclear Power Expands

MRS Bulletin ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 340-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siegfried S. Hecker
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Cold War ◽  
Global Climate Change ◽  
Nuclear Weapons ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Nuclear Energy ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Nuclear Attack ◽  
The Cold War

Raj et al. describe the promise of nuclear energy as a sustainable, affordable, and carbon-free source available this century on a scale that can help meet the world's growing need for energy and help slow the pace of global climate change. However, the factor of millions gain in energy release from nuclear fssion compared to all conventional energy sources that tap the energy of electrons (Figure 1) has also been used to create explosives of unprecedented lethality and, hence, poses a serious challenge to the expansion of nuclear energy worldwide. Although the end of the cold war has eliminated the threat of annihilating humanity, the likelihood of a devastating nuclear attack has increased as more nations, subnational groups, and terrorists seek to acquire nuclear weapons.

Evaluation of Hybrid Nuclear Energy Systems

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin J. McDaniel
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Hybrid Systems ◽  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Nuclear Energy ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Energy System ◽  
System Component

Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technologies have been recently deemed by the DOE as clean energy, a low carbon-dioxide emitting “alternative energy” source. Recent UN Sustainability Goals and Global Climate Talks to reduce the anthropomorphic Carbon-Dioxide atmospheric concentrations signal a renewed interest and need for nuclear power. The objective of this paper is to present an improved approach to the evaluation of “Hybrid Nuclear Energy Systems”. A hybrid energy system is defined as an energy system that utilizes two or more sources of energy to be used in single or multiple applications. Traditional single sourced energy or power systems require the amount of energy creation and the production of usable power to be carefully balanced. With the introduction of multiple energy sources, loads, and energy capacitors, the design, simulation, and operation of such hybrid systems requires a new approach to analysis and control. This paper introduces three examples of “Hybrid Nuclear Energy Systems”, for large scale power, industrial heat, and electricity generation. The system component independence, reliability, availability, and dynamic control aspects, coupled with component operational decisions presents a new way to optimize energy production and availability. Additional novel hybrid hydro-nuclear systems, concentrated solar-nuclear power desalination systems, and nuclear-insitu petroleum extraction systems are compared. The design aspects of such hybrid systems suitable for process heat, electricity generation, and/or desalination applications are discussed. After a multiple-year research study of past hybrid reactor designs and recent system proposals, the following design evaluation approach is the result of analysis of the best concepts discovered. This review of existing literature has summerized that postulated benefits of Hybrid Nuclear Sytems are; reduced greenhouse gas emissions, increased energy conversion efficiency, high reliability of electricity supply and consistent power quality, reduced fossil fuel dependence, less fresh water consumption, conversion of local coal or shale into higher value fuels, while lowering the risks and costs. As these proposed hybrid systems are interdisciplinary in nature, they will require a new multidisciplinary approach to systems evaluation.

Design Study of Small Gas Cooled Fast Nuclear Power Plant for Synergetic Energy System with Renewable Energy by Employing Pump Storage

2014 ◽  
Vol 983 ◽  
pp. 233-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zaki Suud
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Inherent Safety ◽  
Design Study

Design study of a synergetic system among small long life gas cooled fast reactors and renewable energy has been performed. A pump storage system is the center in the integration among considered energy sources. Using this system many renewable energy sources and the small nuclear power plant can be integrated to produce reliable energy sources which can be used for electricity production, desalination, etc. In this system each energy source can store energy by contributing pumping water from a low level reservoir to a high level reservoir. The nuclear power plant module must satisfy inherent safety requirement, and have flexibility in producing electricity, clean water (through desalination), etc. The reactor can be operated for 25 years without the necessity to refuel during that period. To achieve inherent safety capability it is important to minimized excess reactivity during burn-up to be below delayed neutron fraction value so that super prompt critical accident such as in Chernobyl accident case can be avoided. Here minimization of excess reactivity is carried out by adjusting core and blanket region width and plutonium enrichment in core regions.

scholarly journals Feasibility of replacement of nuclear power with other energy sources in the Czech republic

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (6 Part A) ◽  
pp. 3543-3553
Author(s):  
Pavel Charvat ◽  
Lubomir Klimes ◽  
Jiri Pospisil ◽  
Jiri Klemes ◽  
Petar Varbanov
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
The Moment

The feasibility and consequences of replacing nuclear power plants (NPP) in the Czech Republic with other energy sources are discussed. The NPP produced about one-third of electricity in the Czech Republic in 2017. Renewable energy sources such as hydropower, wind and solar power plants and biomass/biogas burning power plants produced about 11% of electricity in 2017. Due to the geographical and other constraints (intermittency, land footprint, and public acceptance), the renewables do not have the potential to entirely replace the capacity of the NPP. The only feasible technologies that could replace NPP in the Czech Republic in the near future are the power plants using fossil fuels. The combined cycle power plants running on natural gas (NGCC) are technically and environmentally fea-sible alternative for NPP at the moment. However, the natural gas imports would increase by two-thirds and the total greenhouse gas emissions would go up by about 10% if the power production of the NPP was entirely replaced by NGCC in the Czech Republic.

The Public Acceptance of New Energy Technologies

Daedalus ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 142 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger E. Kasperson ◽  
Bonnie J. Ram
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Energy System ◽  
The United States ◽  
Public Acceptance ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Gasoline Prices ◽  
The Public ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
New Energy ◽  
The U.S

In the wake of ominous results about the impending path of climate change, and with gasoline prices hovering around four dollars per gallon, the 2012 presidential and congressional campaigns are full of claims and counterclaims about the transformation of the U.S. energy system. Although much discussion has centered on the need for new energy technologies, this debate as yet has been narrow and limited. Meaningful deployment of any technology will raise questions of public acceptance. Little is known about how diverse publics in the United States will respond to the advent of new energy sources, whether they involve a “second renaissance” for nuclear power, a dash to embrace hydraulic fracking for oil and natural gas, or emerging prospects for renewable energies like wind and solar power. Yet public acceptance will determine the outlook. Adding further complication is the growing debate about traditional energy sources and the extent to which a fossil fuel – based energy system should continue to be central to the American economy. This essay explores the issues involved in public acceptance of stability and change in the U.S. energy system. We conclude with several recommendations for gaining a greater understanding of the public acceptance quandary.

Thermoeconomic Analysis of Power Plants With Integrated Exergy Stream

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duck-Jin Kim ◽  
Hyun-Soo Lee ◽  
Ho-Young Kwak ◽  
Jae-Ho Hong
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Unit Cost ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Cogeneration Plant ◽  
Steam Power ◽  
Unit Costs ◽  
Combined Cycle Plant ◽  
The Cost

Abstract Exegetic and thermoeconomic analysis were performed for a 500-MW combined cycle plant and a 137-MW steam power plant without decomposition of exergy into thermal and mechanical exergy. A unit cost was assigned to a specific exergy stream of matter, regardless of its condition or state in this analysis. The calculated costs of electricity were almost same within 0.5% as those obtained by the thermoeconomic analysis with decomposition of the exergy stream for the combined cycle plant, which produces the same kind of product. Such outcome indicated that the level at which the cost balances are formulated does not affect the result of thermoeconomic analysis, that is somewhat contradictory to that concluded previously. However this is true for the gas-turbine cogeneration plant which produces different kinds of products, electricity and steam whose unit costs are dominantly affected by the mechanical and thermal exergy respectively.

The competitiveness of nuclear energy in an era of liberalized markets and restrictions on greenhouse-gas emissions

2009 ◽  
pp. 37-62
Author(s):  
Luigi De Paoli ◽  
Francesco Gulli
Keyword(s):  
Electricity Markets ◽  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Energy ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Levelized Cost Of Electricity ◽  
Cost Of Electricity ◽  
Generation Costs ◽  
The Cost

- The debate on the benefits of nuclear energy revolves around the very competitiveness of this energy source. This article tries to show why it is not easy to answer unambiguously the question whether or not it is convenient to resort to nuclear power in a given country. After listing the factors on which the cost of electricity generation rests and discussing the range of probability of their value, the levelized cost of electricity generation from nuclear, coal and gas-fired plants is calculated using the Monte Carlo method. The results show that nuclear power is likely to be competitive, especially if policies to combat CO2 emissions will continue in the coming decades. There are, however, some margins of uncertainty, mainly related, to the one hand, to the cost of nuclear plants, that depends on the socio-institutional context, and on the other, to the fossil fuels cost, that are inherently difficult to anticipate even on average. Finally it is noted that the context of liberalized electricity markets may make it more difficult for investors to accept the risk of investing in nuclear power plants and for the community to socialize some of the costs associated with this technology.Key words: Nuclear energy, generation costs, Montecarlo method, environmental impacts.JEL classifications: G11, H23, L72, L94, Q31, Q40

Nuclear Power System on a Base of Transportable Nuclear Power Plants

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evgeny P. Velikhov ◽  
Vyacheslav P. Kuznetsov ◽  
Vladimir F. Demin
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Energy ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Institutional Support ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Nuclear Materials ◽  
Physical Protection ◽  
And Control ◽  
Nuclear Damage

This paper presents the initial provisions, materials, results, current status and next tasks of the study dedicated to the issues of legal and institutional support of transportable nuclear power plants. This study is performed in the framework of the IAEA International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles INPRO. Transportable nuclear power plants (TNPPs) are either small nuclear power plants (SNPPs) with their lifecycle implemented on a single transportable platform, or SNPPs assembled of transportable factory-made modules. Advantages of SNPPs and TNPPs are: • Enhanced safety and reliability; • Design simplicity, • Shorter construction period; • Industrial serial production; • Smaller capital costs and shorter investment cycle compared with large NPP; • Possibility of autonomous operation; • Suitability for non-electric application and others. There is an objective evidence of growing interest in developing a nuclear energy system (NES) based on SNPPs including TNPPs. Underlying assumptions of the Russian study: • The User of TNPP services is interested in receiving energy only, does not claim ownership of nuclear technologies, materials and TNPP itself, and this incurs minimal liability for nuclear energy use; INPRO defines this TNPP lifecycle option as “Maximum outsourcing”; • All operations involving nuclear fuel are performed either at the TNPP manufacturer plant, or at a regional TNPP service center within the Holder’s liability zone; • TNPP sitting requires no onsite operations except assembling. Expert reviews have been performed to confirm TNPP lifecycle compliance with the nuclear legislation in fields such as: safety; non-proliferation; nuclear materials’ monitoring, accounting and control; physical protection; and civil liability for nuclear damage; transport operations. It was confirmed that: • In traditional approaches, the existing legal and institutional framework is sufficient for implementing TNPP lifecycle; to achieve the highest efficiency and safety of TNPPs it is necessary to develop TNPPs’ designs, their legal and institutional support; • The following issues are of immediate interest for further studies: combination of inherent safety features and passive safety systems in TNPPs; TNPP lifecycle economy; lifecycle concept without onsite refueling; new approaches to indemnification for nuclear damage; new approaches to physical protection; nuclear liability of TNPP User; remote nuclear materials monitoring, and control and TNPP’ operating; serial industrial fabrication; licensing and certification; public-private partnership; international personnel training system; international cooperation in TNPP fabrication and servicing; role of the IAEA in developing TNPP-based NES. • TNPP/SNPP-based nuclear energy system including all kinds of respective legal, institutional and infrastructural support should become the subject of further studies.

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