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What are Integrated Energy Systems?

Power plants exist to make electricity, but must also produce a lot of heat. What if they could use that heat for other processes that require thermal energy? Today, roughly 40% of all energy is wasted. More efficient energy use would be better for the environment and for the plant owner. A power plant being used for both electricity and heat is called an integrated energy system. Integrated energy systems could couple nuclear, renewable and fossil energy sources. Such systems offer efficiencies that can lead to energy independence, economic competitiveness, job creation and smarter use of resources.

What are national labs doing?

The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy supports a national laboratory Integrated Energy Systems (IES) Program. The program conducts research, development, and deployment activities to expand the role of nuclear energy beyond supporting the electricity grid. Expanded roles include supplying energy to various industrial, transportation and energy storage applications. Development of integrated energy systems may include multiple energy inputs (e.g., nuclear, renewable, and fossil with carbon capture), multiple energy users (e.g., grid consumers, industrial heat or electricity users, transportation fuel users), and multiple energy storage options (e.g., thermal, electrical and chemical). Focusing IES development on enhanced utilization of low- or non-emitting energy generation options within IES will help the U.S. to achieve the bold goals that have been established by the Biden administration to achieve a 100% clean energy economy (link) and net-zero emissions by 2050 (link​).


  
  
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https://www.lastenergy.com/titansofnuclear/experts/nuclearnexusdc23/25/2024
  
https://ies.inl.gov/SitePages/International%20collaborative%20meeting.aspx1/30/2024
  
https://www.energy.gov/articles/biden-harris-administration-announces-7-billion-americas-first-clean-hydrogen-hubs-driving10/18/2023
  
https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-141-going-nuclear-national-hydrogen-and-fuel-cell-day-richard-boardman10/5/2023
  
https://www.nnl.co.uk/innovation-science-and-technology/showreel/collaborations/gnl-ies-annual-report-2023/9/28/2023
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