| Integrated energy systems (IES)—including the intimate coupling between thermal generators, the grid, ancillary processes, and energy storage—are becoming increasingly pertinent to the energy grid. To facilitate a better understanding of IES, Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has developed the experimental Thermal Energy Distribution System (TEDS) to test the interoperability of nuclear reactors, energy storage, and ancillary processes in a real-world setting.
| Modeling the Idaho National Laboratory Thermal-Energy Distribution System (TEDS) in the Modelica Ecosystem | 12/1/2020 | (December 2020) Integrated energy systems (IES)—including the intimate coupling between thermal generators, the grid, ancillary processes, and energy storage—are becoming increasingly pertinent to the energy grid. To facilitate a better understanding of IES, Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has developed the experimental Thermal Energy Distribution System (TEDS) to test the interoperability of nuclear reactors, energy storage, and ancillary processes in a real-world setting.
| Modeling the Idaho National Laboratory Thermal-Energy Distribution System (TEDS) in the Modelica Ecosystem |
| This paper describes novel hybrid energy systems that synergistically incorporate diverse energy sources, including renewable, nuclear, and fossil with carbon capture, that offer potential to provide environmentally sustainable, cost-effective and reliable power, heat, mobility, and other energy services, more effectively.
| Multi-input, Multi-output Hybrid Energy Systems | 12/1/2020 | (December 2020) This paper describes novel hybrid energy systems that synergistically incorporate diverse energy sources, including renewable, nuclear, and fossil with carbon capture, that offer potential to provide environmentally sustainable, cost-effective and reliable power, heat, mobility, and other energy services, more effectively. In contrast to competitive assessment of single energy sources, hybrid energy systems offer distinct comparative advantages via utilization of multiple feedstocks to create multiple products and services through increased coordination and direct hybridization, allowing dynamic optimization of supply and demand.
| Multi-input, Multi-output Hybrid Energy Systems |
| Development of the NuScale Power Module in the INL Modelica Ecosystem
| Development of the NuScale Power Module in the INL Modelica Ecosystem | 10/13/2020 | (October 2020) This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the development of a NuScale power module in the Modelica process model ecosystem at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) as part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy Integrated Energy Systems (IES) program.
| Development of the NuScale Power Module in the INL Modelica Ecosystem |
| Nuclear hybrid energy systems (NHES) have potential to capitalize on (1) producing multiple commodities, i.e. electricity and hydrogen as well as (2) allowing for electricity grid load following, with hydrogen production during low electricity prices. Using nuclear thermal energy and electricity (from the reactor itself) makes hydrogen production an economically attractive option.
| Comparative review of hydrogen production technologies for nuclear hybrid energy systems | 5/5/2020 | (May 2020) Nuclear hybrid energy systems (NHES) have potential to capitalize on (1) producing multiple commodities, i.e. electricity and hydrogen as well as (2) allowing for electricity grid load following, with hydrogen production during low electricity prices. Using nuclear thermal energy and electricity (from the reactor itself) makes hydrogen production an economically attractive option. | Comparative review of hydrogen production technologies for nuclear hybrid energy systems |
| An Improved Genetic Algorithm approach to the Unit Commitment/Economic Dispatch problem
| An Improved Genetic Algorithm approach to the Unit Commitment/Economic Dispatch problem | 4/13/2020 | (April 2020) The deployment of new technologies, the importance of accurately modeling the dynamics of the generating units and the introduction of new policies are making the solution of the Unit Commitment/Economic Dispatch problem more and more complicated.
| An Improved Genetic Algorithm approach to the Unit Commitment/Economic Dispatch problem |
| As the contribution of renewable energy grows in electricity markets, the complexity of the energy mix required to meet demand grows, likewise the need for robust simulation techniques. While decades of wind, solar, and demand profiles can sometimes be obtained, this is too few samples to provide a statistically meaningful analysis of a system with baseload, peaker, and renewable generation.
| Correlated synthetic time series generation for energy system simulations using Fourier and ARMA signal processing | 3/5/2020 | (March 2020) As the contribution of renewable energy grows in electricity markets, the complexity of the energy mix required to meet demand grows, likewise the need for robust simulation techniques. While decades of wind, solar, and demand profiles can sometimes be obtained, this is too few samples to provide a statistically meaningful analysis of a system with baseload, peaker, and renewable generation.
| Correlated synthetic time series generation for energy system simulations using Fourier and ARMA signal processing |
| A sustainable, balanced energy portfolio is necessary for a country's continued economic growth. This portfolio must collectively be able to provide reliable, resilient electricity at stable, affordable prices. Nuclear energy is an important contributor to global clean energy supply, both as a primary source and by complementing and enabling other clean energy sources. | Reimagining future energy systems: Overview of the US program to maximize energy utilization via integrated nuclear-renewable energy systems | 2/17/2020 | (February 2020) A sustainable, balanced energy portfolio is necessary for a country's continued economic growth. This portfolio must collectively be able to provide reliable, resilient electricity at stable, affordable prices. Nuclear energy is an important contributor to global clean energy supply, both as a primary source and by complementing and enabling other clean energy sources. | Reimagining future energy systems: Overview of the US program to maximize energy utilization via integrated nuclear-renewable energy systems |
| The electricity market in the U.S. is moving toward an energy mix including more variable renewable energy (VRE) sources like wind and solar. This increasing VRE penetration is altering the profile of the net electricity demand. | Economic Analysis of a Nuclear Hybrid Energy System in a Stochastic Environment Including Wind Turbines in an Electricity Grid | 12/10/2019 | (December 2019) The electricity market in the U.S. is moving toward an energy mix including more variable renewable energy (VRE) sources like wind and solar. This increasing VRE penetration is altering the profile of the net electricity demand.
| Economic Analysis of a Nuclear Hybrid Energy System in a Stochastic Environment Including Wind Turbines in an Electricity Grid |
| This report summarizes research work performed at the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) and George Washington University (GWU) in support of the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy Integrated Energy Systems (IES) program. In particular, the work focuses on improving and strengthening two fundamental steps in the mathematical and computational framework that is currently being developed to optimize the economic performance of Integrated Energy Systems.
| Summary Report on Synthetic Time History Development and Deployment | 10/1/2019 | (October 2019) This report summarizes research work performed at the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) and George Washington University (GWU) in support of the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy Integrated Energy Systems (IES) program. In particular, the work focuses on improving and strengthening two fundamental steps in the mathematical and computational framework that is currently being developed to optimize the economic performance of Integrated Energy Systems.
| Summary Report on Synthetic Time History Development and Deployment |
| Dynamic performance analysis of a high-temperature steam electrolysis plant integrated within nuclear-renewable hybrid energy systems | Dynamic performance analysis of a high-temperature steam electrolysis plant integrated within nuclear-renewable hybrid energy systems | 10/15/2018 | (October 2018) A high-temperature steam electrolysis (HTSE) plant is proposed as a flexible load resource to be integrated with a light water reactor (LWR) in nuclear-renewable hybrid energy systems (N-R HESs). This integrated energy system is capable of dynamically apportioning electrical and thermal energy on an industrial scale to meet both grid demand and energy needs in the HTSE plant without generating greenhouse gases.
| Dynamic performance analysis of a high-temperature steam electrolysis plant integrated within nuclear-renewable hybrid energy systems |
| This document reports the application of the N-R HES software framework to a case study for Arizona Public Service (APS); the manager and part owner of the Palo Verde (PV) nuclear power plant. The case study is a work in progress of which this report presents a detailed description of the current model input data, assumptions and the corresponding results produced by the developed software framework.
| Case Study: Nuclear-Renewable-Water Integration in Arizona | 9/1/2018 | (September 2018) This document reports the application of the N-R HES software framework to a case study for Arizona Public Service (APS); the manager and part owner of the Palo Verde (PV) nuclear power plant. The case study is a work in progress of which this report presents a detailed description of the current model input data, assumptions and the corresponding results produced by the developed software framework.
| Case Study: Nuclear-Renewable-Water Integration in Arizona |
| Nuclear power plants operate most efficiently and economically when they are operating at some constant power output. However, with the current dynamics of the grid, including the introduction and growth of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, nuclear generation facilities across the U.S. are finding it difficult to keep their power supply constant and provide for baseload generation capacities.
| Thermal Energy Delivery System Design Basis Report | 9/1/2018 | (September 2018) Nuclear power plants operate most efficiently and economically when they are operating at some constant power output. However, with the current dynamics of the grid, including the introduction and growth of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, nuclear generation facilities across the U.S. are finding it difficult to keep their power supply constant and provide for baseload generation capacities.
| Thermal Energy Delivery System Design Basis Report |
| Approximately 19% of the electricity produced in the United States comes from nuclear power plants. Traditionally, nuclear power plants, as well as larger coal-fired plants, operate in a baseload manner at or near steady state for prolonged periods of time.
| Design and Operation of a Sensible Heat Peaking Unit for Small Modular Reactors | 4/17/2018 | (April 2018) Approximately 19% of the electricity produced in the United States comes from nuclear power plants. Traditionally, nuclear power plants, as well as larger coal-fired plants, operate in a baseload manner at or near steady state for prolonged periods of time.
| Design and Operation of a Sensible Heat Peaking Unit for Small Modular Reactors |
| We explore a nuclear hybrid energy system (NHES) consisting of a 300 MW small modular reactor, wind generation, battery storage, and a reverse osmosis desalination plant. A dispatch rule is constructed within the Risk Analysis Virtual Environment (RAVEN) to model the system.
| Optimal sizing of flexible nuclear hybrid energy system components considering wind volatility | 2/15/2018 | (February 2018) We explore a nuclear hybrid energy system (NHES) consisting of a 300 MW small modular reactor, wind generation, battery storage, and a reverse osmosis desalination plant. A dispatch rule is constructed within the Risk Analysis Virtual Environment (RAVEN) to model the system.
| Optimal sizing of flexible nuclear hybrid energy system components considering wind volatility |
| This analysis compares the cost of various electric grid scenarios at the national level over a one-year period. Scenarios include high renewable, zero nuclear, zero carbon, and deployment of advanced nuclear.
| Economic comparison of current electricity generating technologies and advanced nuclear options | 12/17/2017 | (December 2017) This analysis compares the cost of various electric grid scenarios at the national level over a one-year period. Scenarios include high renewable, zero nuclear, zero carbon, and deployment of advanced nuclear.
| Economic comparison of current electricity generating technologies and advanced nuclear options |
| The increased penetration of intermittent renewable energy technologies such as wind and solar power can strain electric grids, forcing carbon-based and nuclear sources of energy to operate in a load-follow mode. For nuclear reactors, load-follow operation can be undesirable due to the associated thermal and mechanical stresses placed on the fuel and other reactor components.
| Thermal Energy Storage Configurations for Small Modular Reactor Load Shedding | 8/30/2017 | (August 2017) The increased penetration of intermittent renewable energy technologies such as wind and solar power can strain electric grids, forcing carbon-based and nuclear sources of energy to operate in a load-follow mode. For nuclear reactors, load-follow operation can be undesirable due to the associated thermal and mechanical stresses placed on the fuel and other reactor components.
| Thermal Energy Storage Configurations for Small Modular Reactor Load Shedding |
| This work explores the technical challenges associated with flexible operation for nuclear power plants (NPPs) and evaluates whether a flexible operational mode could improve the profitability of nuclear units by allowing nuclear plant owners/operators to reduce output when prices are low and instead shift capacity to the ancillary services markets.
| Profitability Evaluation of Load-following Nuclear Units with Physics-induced Operational Constraints ", Nuclear Technology | 7/17/2017 | (July 2017) This work explores the technical challenges associated with flexible operation for nuclear power plants (NPPs) and evaluates whether a flexible operational mode could improve the profitability of nuclear units by allowing nuclear plant owners/operators to reduce output when prices are low and instead shift capacity to the ancillary services markets.
| Profitability Evaluation of Load-following Nuclear Units with Physics-induced Operational Constraints |
| This paper studies the propagation and effects of faults of critical components that pertain to the secondary loop of a nuclear power plant found in Nuclear Hybrid Energy Systems (NHES). | Fault Propagation And Effects Analysis For Designing An Online Monitoring System For The Secondary Loop Of A Nuclear Power Plant Part Of A Hybrid Energy System | 3/1/2017 | (March 2017) This paper studies the propagation and effects of faults of critical components that pertain to the secondary loop of a nuclear power plant found in Nuclear Hybrid Energy Systems (NHES).
| Fault Propagation And Effects Analysis For Designing An Online Monitoring System For The Secondary Loop Of A Nuclear Power Plant Part Of A Hybrid Energy System |
| Small modular reactors (SMRs) provide a unique opportunity for future nuclear development with reduced financial risks, allowing the United States to meet growing energy demands through safe, reliable, clean air electricity generation while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the reliance on unstable fossil fuel prices.
| Thermodynamic exergy analysis for small modular reactor in nuclear hybrid energy system | 4/27/2016 | (April 2016) Small modular reactors (SMRs) provide a unique opportunity for future nuclear development with reduced financial risks, allowing the United States to meet growing energy demands through safe, reliable, clean air electricity generation while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the reliance on unstable fossil fuel prices.
| Thermodynamic exergy analysis for small modular reactor in nuclear hybrid energy system |
| Dynamic performance analysis of two regional Nuclear Hybrid Energy Systems
| Dynamic performance analysis of two regional Nuclear Hybrid Energy Systems | 3/29/2016 | (March 2016) In support of more efficient utilization of clean energy generation sources, including renewable and nuclear options, hybrid energy systems (HES) can be designed and operated as flexible energy resources (FER) to meet both electrical and thermal energy needs in the electric grid and industrial sectors. These conceptual systems could effectively and economically be utilized, for example, to manage the increasing levels of dynamic variability and uncertainty introduced by variable energy resources (VER) such as renewable sources (e.g., wind, solar), distributed energy resources, demand response schemes, and modern energy demands (e.g., electric vehicles) with their ever changing usage patterns.
| Dynamic performance analysis of two regional Nuclear Hybrid Energy Systems |
| This paper focuses on the operations optimization of two specific NHES configurations to address the variability raised from wholesale electricity markets and renewable generation. Both analytical and numerical approaches are used to obtain the optimal operations schedule.
| Operations Optimization of Nuclear Hybrid Energy Systems | 10/1/2015 | (October 2015) This paper focuses on the operations optimization of two specific NHES configurations to address the variability raised from wholesale electricity markets and renewable generation. Both analytical and numerical approaches are used to obtain the optimal operations schedule.
| Operations Optimization of Nuclear Hybrid Energy Systems |
| Electrical energy is a versatile form of energy that exhibits high efficiency and availability, and as a result is widely utilized with continually escalating needs worldwide. However, there are limits to the supply of natural resources that may be utilized to help meet these increasing needs.
| Nuclear Renewable Energy Integration: An Economic Case Study | 10/1/2015 | (October 2015) Electrical energy is a versatile form of energy that exhibits high efficiency and availability, and as a result is widely utilized with continually escalating needs worldwide. However, there are limits to the supply of natural resources that may be utilized to help meet these increasing needs.
| Nuclear Renewable Energy Integration: An Economic Case Study |
| Sustainability Development Platform for Nuclear-Renewable Energy Integration: Environmental Impacts, Economics, and Socio-Political Implications
| Sustainability Development Platform for Nuclear-Renewable Energy Integration: Environmental Impacts, Economics, and Socio-Political Implications | 4/1/2015 | (April 2015) Global energy needs are primarily being met with fossil fuel plants in both developed and developing nations. With the increase in emissions, it is necessary to promote and develop alternative energy technologies to meet the needs in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner. Furthermore, Nuclear and Renewable Energy Integration (NREI) may offer an effective and environmentally responsible energy solution that enhances energy use and productivity while reducing emissions.
| Sustainability Development Platform for Nuclear-Renewable Energy Integration: Environmental Impacts, Economics, and Socio-Political Implications |
