Learnings

Outcomes

In the first deliverable, interviews with key stakeholders indicated that the main barriers to the deployment of nuclear cogeneration include contractual, regulatory and supply chain issues, rather than the technical challenges of extracting heat from nuclear generation. They also suggested that finding suitable high-temperature applications, existing grid connections close to generation, and transporting heat efficiently, could also be challenges. These learnings were used to inform the scenarios that were developed for the subsequent whole system modelling work. 

Work package 3 (which fed into Deliverable 2) used the Catapult’s ESME to simulate different future energy systems with the aim of understanding the likely role and implications of nuclear cogeneration under different future scenarios. Through this work, the project team was able to identify the key benefits that nuclear cogeneration could bring to the whole energy system and the conditions that would need to be in place for these benefits to occur. The key findings were as follows:

• Baseload electricity generation from both Gen III and SMR (small modular reactor) reactors remains the key system benefit of nuclear, irrespective of cogeneration capability.
• The value to the system of both electricity and heat provided by nuclear is maximised with earlier deployment, underlining the need to address barriers to commissioning to help unlock greater benefits.
• The improved efficiency of directly utilising heat from reactors means that less generation capacity is required across the energy systems modelled in the study.

The whole system modelling also calculated the levels of installed capacity of nuclear generation and cogeneration for each of the scenarios. This information was then used to inform the size and location of the nuclear cogeneration plants used in the subsequent transmission network studies. 

The aim of work package 4 (which fed into Deliverable 3) was to assess how different levels of nuclear cogeneration deployment in 2050 would affect the operation and infrastructure of the GB electricity transmission network. Power systems simulations using the National Energy System Operator’s (NESO) 36-bus model of GB transmission system, along with qualitative research, explored the implications for system operability, boundary flows, and the flexibility provided by different nuclear cogeneration site configurations. The main outcomes from this work package, which include benefits and risks of nuclear cogeneration for electricity transmission network, were as follows:

• Nuclear cogeneration can deliver significant benefits to transmission system operability and potentially reduce the need for grid reinforcements.
• Due to its smaller size and better flexibility in siting, nuclear cogeneration can be deployed in locations where large nuclear generation plants may not be possible, enabling nuclear cogeneration to be located closer to demand centres, particularly in inland regions across England and Wales.
• The broader distribution of nuclear cogeneration improves the local availability of voltage and fault level support, especially in areas where synchronous generation has been declining.
• High deployment of nuclear cogeneration in the South of England reduces north-to-south power flows, alleviating congestion across key boundaries. This may reduce the need for transmission reinforcements if deployment is prioritised in these areas.
• If nuclear cogeneration is deployed too slowly or concentrated in less optimal locations, the opportunity to defer reinforcement and reduce system service procurement costs could be missed.
• Nuclear cogeneration projects may be delayed by planning or licensing hurdles, particularly where locating novel industrial processes is required.

The methodology and some datasets have been developed for the ESME modelling. Key stakeholder insights to inform the development of the scenarios for the ESME modelling have also been gathered.

Lessons Learnt

General lessons learned for future projects include:

• At proposal stage, consider the models and/or datasets that will be required and discuss with the client whether access can be provided.
• For innovative research projects like this, it would be beneficial to have a scoping phase at the beginning of the project with a stage gate at the end of it, to allow the delivery team to flesh out the methodological approach and ensure that the timeline and budget allocated to the remainder of the project is sufficient.

Technical learnings from this project are detailed in the outcomes section of this report.