ANS Utility Working Conference: The Future is Bright for Nuclear

摘要

The American Nuclear Society's (ANS) annual Utility Working Conference was held as a one-day virtual summit on August 11 with the theme "It's Go Time-Creating Momentum Toward Transformational Change." Craig Piercy, ANS Chief Executive Officer said it is "go time" for nuclear energy as part of the clean energy transition as policymakers and corporations are realizing the climate need for nuclear energy and are moving away from renewable energy to zero carbon, thus opening the door for nuclear plants. Even political progressives, he contended, are seeing nuclear as an important part of the energy mix. As the plenary moderator, Bob Coward of MPR Associates and ANS past president, framed the transformational discussion but pointing out the cost challenges of operating a nuclear power plant in today's market. Using the Limerick nuclear power plant as an example, Coward noted that 10 years ago, during a 12-month period, only one day did the daily energy price average fall below $20 and two-thirds of the time it was over $40. In the last 12 months, there were five months under $20, and only three days over $40. If a plant that was built in 2008-2009 had the same capacity as Limerick and the plant ran very well 100% of the time for the full 12 months, in the last 12 months the utility was paid about $430 million less for the product than 10 years ago. This is the impact of the changed market-$430 million less at a single station, and every utility in the country-even regulated utilities-are facing these same cost pressures. The industry, as one collaborative team, has no choice but to adapt, evolve, and get even better. The good news, Coward said, is that the industry has already started, and there's "numerous reasons for optimism."