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New nuclear plants can form a major part of an affordable low carbon transition in the UK with potential roles for both large nuclear and small modular reactors (SMRs)
Evidence shows SMRs could be cost-effective but further work is needed to improve the economics of their construction and operation
Nuclear should define and argue clearly its system benefits within a low carbon energy system
Traditional nuclear power projects delivering baseload electricity will have to adapt if nuclear is to grow a significant role in a future UK low carbon energy system, according to the ETI as it releases a series of project reports into nuclear energy from its research portfolio.
Analysis carried out by the ETI has shown that new nuclear plants can form a major part of an affordable low carbon transition in the UK with potential roles for both large nuclear and small modular reactors (SMRs).
Large reactors are best suited for baseload electricity production, but actual deployment will be influenced by a number of factors – not all of them technical – and SMRs could fulfil an additional role in a UK low carbon energy system by delivering combined heat and power helping to decarbonise energy use in buildings.
The ETI evidence base on energy system planning indicates the best way forward is for the UK to seek to secure the delivery of a programme of contemporary large GW light water reactors. However the nuclear industry has to articulate clearly its role in a changing energy system and also demonstrate realistic cost reduction in the ongoing development of nuclear power generation. It also needs to understand how nuclear fits as part of the UK’s industrial strategy.
Mike Middleton
Strategy Manager
The UK benefits from an established knowledge base and supply chain in nuclear power plant operations, but there is competition for nuclear to prove itself economically against other low carbon options.
There is a vibrant global start up mentality emerging in the nuclear power industry looking at how to develop alternatives to traditional large scale reactor provision. However, it is yet to emerge whether nuclear will be constrained to traditional baseload generation or whether a broader role will develop to complement the growth of other low carbon technologies.
Evidence from projects carried out by the ETI has shown that SMRs could be cost-effective but further work is needed to improve the economics of their construction and operation.
There are also economic benefits from deploying SMRs as combined heat and power (CHP) plants to energise district heating networks so they should be deployed as CHP ready and such designs should address future energy system requirements to ensure they are fit for purpose to deliver power and heat giving system flexibility.
The requirement to innovate to improve the predictability and affordability of new nuclear power plants has never been stronger.
The challenge to overcome is how new nuclear projects are financed so they move away from overseas and government equity funding schemes such as for Hinkley Point C. This is where new thinking on construction has a number of roles to play.
Future nuclear technologies will only be deployed if there is a market need and such technologies provide the most cost effective solution; the nuclear industry has a challenge to demonstrate how it can reduce costs as more UK new nuclear projects come forward, and also demonstrate competitiveness alongside other low carbon options within the energy mix such as renewables.
An inability to “get match fit” and demonstrate cost reductions will result in other options – such as renewables – becoming more prevalent in a future UK energy system.
It’s also important to determine whether the UK is going to be at the forefront of a growing global nuclear industry with the economic benefits of domestic design and production bring or become a consumer of nuclear technologies provided by others.
During 2017 the ETI will be releasing technical data and reports from projects delivered across its technology programmes over the last 10 years.
It has just released over 20 documents on its website from its work on nuclear projects which can be found at here.
