Flexible Nuclear Energy for Clean Energy Systems

Flexible Nuclear Energy for Clean Energy Systems provides a collection of technical analyses that, in the aggregate, demonstrate the current and potential future roles for nuclear energy in providing power system flexibility to meet energy demands. While the data and analysis presented may reveal differences between sections due to individual authors' perspectives or focus, collectively they seek to explore the value of flexible nuclear energy.

Endorsements

Read perspectives from:

• NICE Future Co-Lead Countries
• ClearPath and Energy for Humanity
• Nuclear Industry Leaders

More Resources about the Flexible Nuclear Campaign

• Booklet Summary of Flexible Nuclear Energy for Clean Energy Systems
• Pathways to Net Zero Using Nuclear Innovation
• Actions to Enable Flexible Nuclear Energy
• 3 Ways Nuclear is More Flexible Than You Might Think
• Flexibility in Clean Energy Systems: The Enabling Roles of Nuclear Energy
• New Report Highlights Nuclear Flexibility in Clean Energy Systems
• 2020 CEM11 Side Event - Flexibility in Clean Energy Systems: The Enabling Roles of Nuclear Energy
• Nuclear's Flexibility Is the 'Magic' to Create a Clean Energy Future

Key Points

Across the different chapters, several key points emerge:

• There is already an established body of knowledge surrounding flexible operation of existing nuclear plants.
• Innovation can increase the flexibility of existing nuclear reactors to produce both clean electricity and beneficial non-electric products.
• Advanced reactors will present even more opportunities for flexibility in nuclear systems.
• Nuclear flexibility can be key in enabling other clean energy sources.

Read the executive summary

Contributions

The collated  intro-sections provide more information about the purpose of this report, its format, and important background context for understanding power system flexibility.

International experts on nuclear flexibility developed the following sections:

• Canada's Past Experience and Future Goals for Nuclear Flexibility
  
  • Canadian Nuclear Laboratories
• Nuclear Flexibility via Multiple Products in Integrated Energy Systems
  
  • Idaho National Laboratory
• Nuclear Energy with Flexible Operation, High Variable Renewable Energy, and Emission Constrained Scenarios
  
  • National Renewable Energy Laboratory
• Japan's Current Efforts for Nuclear Innovation
  
  • Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and Japan Atomic Nuclear Agency
• Perspectives on Flexible Nuclear Energy: Jordan
  
  • Jordan Atomic Energy Commission
• Perspectives on Flexible Nuclear Energy: Kenya
  
  • Kenya Nuclear Power and Energy Agency
• Coupling Heat Storage to Base-load Nuclear Reactors
  
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Expanding the Concept of Nuclear Flexibility for the Current Fleet and the Next Generation of Advanced Reactors
  
  • Electric Power Research Institute
• What Findings from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology-Japan Join Study on the Future of Nuclear Power in a Low Cardon World Tell Us about Flexibility
  
  • Tokyo Institute of Technology
• Experience of Flexible Nuclear and the Road to Net Zero
  
  • UK Nuclear Innovation and Research Office
• The Contribution of French Nuclear Fleet to the Flexibility of the Electric System
  
  • Électricité de France
• Nuclear Cycling at Exelon Generation
  
  • Exelon
• ARC-100 Clean Integrated Energy System
  
  • ARC Nuclear Canada
• eVinci Micro Reactor's Contribution to Flexible Energy
  
  • Westinghouse Electric Company
• XE-100 Reactor the Key to An Integrated Energy System, Reliable Baseload, Agile Load Following, Industrial Applications
  
  • X-Energy
• Delivering Next Generation Nuclear Systems
  
  • Generation IV International Forum
• Economic Requirements for the Expanded Role of Nuclear Energy in De-Risking the Energy Transition in the Electricity and Fuels Sector
  
  • Energy for Humanity
• Member State Experience on Flexible Nuclear
  
  • International Atomic Energy Agency
• Exploring the New Frontiers of Flexibility
  
  • International Energy Agency
• Nuclear Flexibility from Myth to Reality, a Point of View from the Younger Generation
  
  • International Youth Nuclear Congress
• The Role of Nuclear Toward the Flexibility Requirements of Future Energy Systems
  
  • OECD Nuclear Energy Agency

Read the report's conclusions which summarizes the opportunities for energy system flexibility that nuclear can provide to realize the enormous potential of a wide range of low-emission energy sources.