Study on the load-following ability of HeXe cooled SMR with close Brayton cycle for renewable energy integration

Xinyu Li, Chaoran Guan, Xiang Chai and Xiaojing Liu

Energy, 2025, vol. 318, issue C

Abstract: Microgrids are vital for enhancing energy resilience and reliability, and the aim of carbon neutrality accelerates the integration of renewable energy. However, the variability of renewable energy and fluctuating demand present challenges to supply-load balance for renewable microgrids. This paper addresses the supply-load balance issues by integrating small modular reactors (SMRs) into renewable microgrids, developing load-following strategies, and evaluating transient performance under fluctuations. It presents a one-dimensional dynamic model of the Helium-Xenon cooled SMR with closed Brayton cycle (CBC) and transient simulations are conducted for three different control methods, to investigate the mechanisms and evaluate their characteristics and deficiencies. Combined regulation strategies are proposed, and their effectiveness is proven. From the evaluation, inventory control performs better initially. The turbine bypass valve control is also a favorable choice, especially under strict safety requirements. Using load regulation combinations, the system demonstrates a quick and fluctuation-free load-following in 20 %/100s ramp change and the 20 % step change within a 10-s offset for 100%–0% full range, able to manage the variability and demand fluctuations of microgrids. The outcomes of this study confirm the load-following capability of the HeXe cooled SMRs and highlight the feasibility and effectiveness of integrating nuclear energy into renewable microgrids.

Keywords: Microgrids; Integration of SMR and renewable energy microgrid; Load-following control; HeXe cooled SMR; Closed Brayton cycle (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:318:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225005560

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.134914

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