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This is actually the origin of my idea for using nuclear power to produce zero-emission synthetic conventionals. Peak demand is a terrible use-case for nuclear,
by fwlr 4y ago
This is actually the origin of my idea for using nuclear power to produce zero-emission synthetic conventionals. Peak demand is a terrible use-case for nuclear, what you really want for peak demand is rapid-delivery storage like batteries. A Teslawall that charges from the grid during off-peak and discharges to the home during peak, for example. The best use-case for nuclear is, as you say, 100% 24/7, and the best utilization of that I could think of is producing stored energy with maximum compatibility for legacy power infrastructure.
- pfdietz 4y agoThe major energy consuming step for synfuels is hydrogen production. Electrolysers are getting cheap, so there's not much penalty to having the input energy be intermittent. Nuclear will therefore be competing directly against renewables on a levelized cost basis here. That's a competition it can't win.
- seanmcdirmid 4y agoAlso, coupling nuclear power plants with pumped storage is a good way to store energy for on demand use. I think that’s what the Washington state nuclear power program was originally planning given grand coulee could pump up (we eventually just got one small commercial reactor). Wind can probably do the same today, and we have plenty in Washington and adjacent Oregon. Though I’m sure unsure if they are actually storing excess grid capacity via hydro right now.