Review of the Requirements for Load Following of Small Modular Reactors

Choong-koo Chang () and Harold Chisano Oyando
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Choong-koo Chang: Department of Nuclear Power Plant Engineering, KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School (KINGS), 658-91 Haemaji-ro, Seosang-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulsan 45014, Korea
Harold Chisano Oyando: Department of Nuclear Power Plant Engineering, KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School (KINGS), 658-91 Haemaji-ro, Seosang-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulsan 45014, Korea

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 17, 1-12

Abstract: CO 2 net neutralization by 2050 is a global target. Renewable energy and nuclear power generation are emerging as major power sources for CO 2 net neutralization. Therefore, this paper comprehensively reviews the load-following operation method of nuclear power plants as a method to compensate for intermittency, which is the biggest weakness of renewable energy. First, this paper looks at the types of SMRs and elaborates the concept and necessity of load following. The comprehensive requirements for the load-following operation of an SMR, i.e., planned operation, automatic generation control, governor-free operation, cooperative control of the reactor and turbine generator, unit control of a multiple-module SMR, cogeneration, etc., are studied. Finally, the interaction between an SMR and the power grid during load-following operation and other technical issues are also reviewed. This paper can be used as a guide for load-following operations or as a guide for requirement analysis when developing a comprehensive control system of load following in SMR fleets.

Keywords: small modular reactor (SMR); load following; power grid; variable renewable energy (VRE); nuclear power plant (NPP) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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