Work

Small Reactors in Microgrids: Technoeconomic Analysis

Year: 2022

Type: report

Abstract: This report presents the results of technoeconomic analysis that advances understanding of the potential of small modular reactors and microreactors, collectively referred to as small reactors (SRs) in this report, in microgrids. This analysis was conducted using a proxy model for SR in microgrids based on the datapoints that were identified and explored in a predecessor report “Small Reactors in Microgrids: Technical Studies Guidance.” The results and the subsequent comparative analysis in this report show that SRs could be a cost-competitive generation option when capital costs are modeled considering potential economies of scale in sizing. If the CO2 tax is imposed on carbon fuels, SRs would be even more attractive than gas generators. Then, SRs in microgrids would play a pivotal role in reducing the carbon footprint at the local distribution level. However, it is particularly important to identify the most suitable use cases for early adoption and the right balance of generation mix with other clean technologies as SRs achieve a level of technological and financial maturity.

Source: OSTI OAI (U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information)

DOI: 10.2172/1879211

Authors: Bikash Poudel, Timothy McJunkin, Ning Kang, James Reilly, Michael Stadler

Institution: Idaho National Laboratory

Language: English

Topic: Nuclear reactor physics and engineering

Subfield: Nuclear Energy and Engineering

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Climate action, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: green

Funders: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy, Office of Electricity, Idaho Operations Office, U.S. Department of Energy