| ID | 112935 |
| Title Proper | Benefits and cost implications from integrating small flexible nuclear reactors with off-shore wind farms in a virtual power plant |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Shropshire, David ; Purvins, Arturs ; Papaioannou, Ioulia ; Maschio, Isabella |
| Publication | 2012. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | Nuclear power currently supports the goals of the European Union low-carbon society by being a dependable source of energy, while emitting no CO2. In the future, more flexible nuclear systems could enable wind to achieve a 50% share of the renewable contribution to the energy mix. Small and medium-sized reactors (SMRs) could provide firming power generation to back-up the supply from renewable resources and follow-load. This study involves the hypothetical combination of an off-shore wind farm and a SMR, operated together as a virtual power plant (VPP). Results using wind data from the North Sea indicate that the combination results in 80% less wind power variation to the grid, effectively creating a virtual baseload power plant. This gain comes at the loss of 30% SMR capacity utilization. The research identified that the reduction of 1000 MW off-shore wind farm variability was best achieved with 700 MW SMRs using 100 MW modules. In demand-following mode the VPP could maneuver output to improve synchronization with demand by 60-70% over a wind-only system. Power variability was indifferent to the SMR module size. The VPP could not reduce 100% of the wind variation, as additional balancing measures (e.g., smart grid, storage, and hybrid-nuclear systems) are still needed. |
| `In' analytical Note | Energy Policy Vol. 46; Jul 2012: p.558-573 |
| Journal Source | Energy Policy Vol. 46; Jul 2012: p.558-573 |
| Key Words | Small Medium Reactor ; Off - Shore Wind Farm ; Virtual Power Plant |