2885. Optimal design and operation of co-generative Micro Nuclear Reactors (MNR)
Invited abstract in session WB-46: Nuclear-powered energy systems and new reactor concepts, stream Energy Economics & Management.
Wednesday, 10:30-12:00Room: Newlyn 1.07
Authors (first author is the speaker)
| 1. | Aldo Bischi
|
| Department of Energy, Systems, Territory and Construction Engineering, University of Pisa | |
| 2. | Mattia Ceccarelli
|
| Department of Energy, Systems, Territory and Construction Engineering, University of Pisa | |
| 3. | Andrea Pucciarelli
|
| Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa | |
| 4. | Andrea Baccioli
|
| DESTEC, University of Pisa |
Abstract
Micro Nuclear Reactors (MNR) are a subset of small modular reactors (SMR), designed for scalability, modularity, and eventually flexibility, delivering electrical output from one to tens of megawats. They are often termed “nuclear batteries” to emphasize their compact, distributed, and potentially off-grid capabilities as well as the possibility to re-fuel them every few years, depending on the usage.
They look promising, especially for applications that undergo increasing electrification and decarbonization requirements, or the adoption of distributed generation solutions, e.g. temporary worksites or inside ports where boat combustion engines could be substituted with electric cables connected to the shore. MNR can be deployed in a co-generative configuration, generating simultaneously heat and power. This study takes the Westinghouse eVinci as a reference model, which operates with an open-air Brayton cycle, modelled to derive the performance as a function of ambient T and off-design load.
The problem has been formulated as a Mixed Integer Linear Program (MILP) to minimize the design and operation cost of the system in a multi-year horizon. Several configurations have been assessed, including CO2 emissions, with the MNR benchmarked vs fully renewable, and electric and gas grid-connected solutions.
Keywords
- Energy Policy and Planning
- Engineering Optimization
- Programming, Mixed-Integer
Status: accepted
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