Nuclear Heat Storage & Recovery System Design for the APR1400

摘要

Historically, in mature electricity supply markets, nuclear power was characterized by low levelized cost of energy (LCOE). However, inherent to nuclear power plants (NPPs) is high initial capital cost coupled with low operating, maintenance, and fuel costs. Recovery of the upfront investment then necessitates that NPPs operate in a baseload mode without consideration of load following. For many electricity markets, increased penetration of 'green energy' sources (wind and solar) with essentially no associated fuel cost has resulted in displacing NPPs at the bottom end of the dispatch hierarchy. This changes the economics of nuclear power and has resulted in examination of the feasibility of energy storage and recovery options.