Work

Design, dynamic analysis, and optimization of a hybrid nuclear-storage power system for mobile applications

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: With the rapid advancement of heat pipe-cooled reactor (HPR) technology, the integration of mobile nuclear power with energy storage offers a promising solution for energy supply in remote and off-grid scenarios. However, existing research predominantly focuses on stationary systems, lacking comprehensive investigation into the dynamic coupling of HPRs and hybrid storage in mobile environments. To address this gap, this paper proposes a novel hybrid nuclear-storage power system (HNSPS) integrating an HPR with a lithium-ion battery and supercapacitor for mobile applications. A high-fidelity system model is developed in MATLAB/Simulink, incorporating a nuclear power generation system, hybrid energy storage, and control models. A fully active parallel topology is employed for the storage subsystem, utilizing lithium-ion batteries for baseload and supercapacitors for transient power fluctuation mitigation. Simulation results demonstrate robust synergistic operation, characterized by excellent dynamic response and energy management performance. Parameter optimization indicates that the lithium battery rated voltage (determined by series configuration) should balance cycle life and manufacturing cost, while its response time should be extended for high-frequency operation and shortened for high-power-demand scenarios. For the supercapacitor, an initial voltage of 100–200 V and a series number of approximately 200 are recommended to balance transient power capability, safety, and cost. This work validates the feasibility and reliability of the proposed HNSPS for mobile scenarios, providing a theoretical reference for the deployment of mobile nuclear energy applications.

Source: Annals of Nuclear Energy

DOI: 10.1016/j.anucene.2026.112855

Authors: Mengfei Niu, Zhipeng Zhang, Haocheng Zhang, Chenglong Wang, Wenxi Tian

Institutions: State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University

Language: English

Topic: Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems

Subfield: Energy Engineering and Power Technology

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

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

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,820