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ETI Insights Report - The role for nuclear within a low carbon energy system

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Abstract:

In March 2015 the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) published “Options Choices Action” featuring two contrasting scenarios - “Patchwork” and “Clockwork” - for a UK low carbon energy system transition to 20501. New nuclear power stations featured as a prominent component of both scenarios. In this context the ETI has commissioned new analysis of how large and Small Modular Reactor (SMR) nuclear technologies can contribute to decarbonising the UK energy system. For this purpose, SMRs are defined as modular for the purpose of incremental addition to power station capacity, and with an electrical generation capacity in units of 300 MWe or less. The emergence of multiple developing SMR designs opens up the potential to deploy a wider range of nuclear technologies within an integrated energy system.This document summarises the insights from three ETI activities undertaken in 2014 and 2015:

  • Power Plant Siting Study (PPSS) -delivered for the ETI by Atkins
  • System Requirements For Alternative Nuclear Technologies (ANT) - deliveredfor the ETI by Mott MacDonald with technical support from Rolls-Royce
  • In-house ETI energy system modelling and analysis incorporating the learning from the PPSS and ANT projects
This analysis has created new understanding of the potentially different contributions from large baseload reactors and SMRs in the UK energy system. These two nuclear technologies can offer potentially complementary roles in baseload and flexible CHP generation, and also in terms of the location of development sites. Generation IV nuclear technologies are not considered in detail in any of the projects above, but are recognised as a new type of reactor technology potentially available for deployment from 2040 onwards. The PPSS recognises the need to allocate site capacity for such reactors; without suitable sites such future designs could not be built.

Publication Year:

2015

Publisher:

ETI

Author(s):

Middleton, M.

Energy Categories

Language:

English

File Type:

application/pdf

File Size:

2415538 B

Rights:

Energy Technologies Institute Open Licence for Materials

Rights Overview:

The Energy Technologies Institute is making this document available to use under the Energy Technologies Institute Open Licence for Materials. Please refer to the Energy Technologies Institute website for the terms and conditions of this licence. The Information is licensed "as is" and the Energy Technologies Institute excludes all representations, warranties, obligations and liabilities in relation to the Information to the maximum extent permitted by law. The Energy Technologies Institute is not liable for any errors or omissions in the Information and shall not be liable for any loss, injury or damage of any kind caused by its use. This exclusion of liability includes, but is not limited to, any direct, indirect, special, incidental, consequential, punitive, or exemplary damages in each case such as loss of revenue, data, anticipated profits, and lost business. The Energy Technologies Institute does not guarantee the continued supply of the Information. Notwithstanding any statement to the contrary contained on the face of this document, the Energy Technologies Institute confirms that it has the right to publish this document.

Further information:

N/A

Region:

United Kingdom

Publication Type:

Policy Briefing Paper

Theme(s):

Nuclear