When we talk about commercial nuclear power reactors, it is usually in the context of generating electricity to feed the national grid. Nuclear plants generate heat which is converted to steam to generate the electricity. There are direct uses for that heat that do not require conversion to electricity. The heat could be used to desalinate seawater, produce hydrogen for heavy industry, decarbonize the transport sector and supply heat for use in residential and commercial applications.
Last week, the16th Dialogue Forum of the IAEA’s International Project for Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO), was held in Vienna, Austria. Sixty people from thirty-three countries discussed some benefits of nuclear cogeneration as well as technical challenges. Some of those attending presented current cogeneration projects and others presented plans for countries that are just starting their nuclear programs. One piece of advice at the meeting was that countries that were just ramping up a nuclear program should include plans for cogeneration from the very beginning.
Mikhail Chudakov is the IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Energy. He said, “Nuclear cogeneration is very important, particularly if nuclear power is to expand much more broadly in energy markets to meet the need for clean and sustainable energy, while helping to mitigate climate change through avoidance of carbon emissions.”
There have been cogeneration projects at some nuclear power plants since the 1960s. Because of economic and regulatory reasons, cogeneration never took off commercially. There have been significant changes in technology and regulations that have improved the conditions significantly.
Cogeneration offers other benefits for the nuclear industry. It could provide more flexibility for the production of electricity by being able to switch between electricity and heat as electricity demand rises and falls. Another important application is removing salt from seawater, so it can be used for residential and commercial needs.
Juergen Kupitz was a Co-Chair of the 16th Dialogue Forum. He is an industry expert from Germany. He said, “This could substantially increase the fresh water supply in many regions and thus contribute to development and increased standard of living. Water, energy and a healthy environment are basic life support systems.”
The market in heat is bigger than the market for electricity. However, while electricity can be sent to sites remote from the location of the generators, heat demand and use takes place in scattered local markets.
Commercialization of cogeneration at nuclear power plants is impeded by several challenges. The biggest challenge lies in the economics of the heat market. There are also problems in the absence of political commitment to cogeneration. There is low public acceptance for nuclear cogeneration as well.
It would be helpful to the cogeneration movement for there to be demonstration plants that possible customers could actually see in operation. However, it is difficult for nuclear power plants to make such a huge commitment on a demo cogeneration system unless they have a committed customer for the heat.
Some potential non-electric applications of nuclear energy may require obtaining specials licenses, new regulations and approval of national regulatory agencies. Nuclear power plants that intend to use cogeneration to sell heat might need to apply for special licenses.
Critical to the prospects for commercial cogeneration is the availability of technicians with specific expertise to operate such plants. The lack of such human resources is another barrier for the spread of cogeneration.
Xin Yan was a Co-Chair of the 16th Dialogue Forum from the Japan Atomic Energy Agency who summed up some cogeneration challenges. He said, “First, we need to learn from other conventional industries who have been successful in forming alliances. This is happening already on a smaller scale, as the Republic of Korea and Saudi Arabia have joined forces to develop an SMR for desalination and cogeneration in the Middle East. Second, the IAEA is the best international body to help guide Member States to develop non-electric applications and should play a larger role in increasing public awareness. And thirdly, nuclear newcomer countries should make use of available tools, such as those offered by the IAEA, to understand non-electric applications, to help them in their economic development and to understand the technical challenges.”