Repowering Coal Power in China by Nuclear Energy—Implementation Strategy and Potential

Song Xu, Yiu Hin Martin Lu, Meiheriayi Mutailipu, Kanti Yan, Yaoli Zhang and Staffan Qvist
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Song Xu: College of Energy, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361001, China
Yiu Hin Martin Lu: College of Energy, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361001, China
Meiheriayi Mutailipu: Department of Electrical Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumchi 830017, China
Kanti Yan: Department of Electrical Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumchi 830017, China
Yaoli Zhang: College of Energy, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361001, China
Staffan Qvist: Qvist Consulting Limited, Maidenhead SL6 8EW, UK

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 3, 1-27

Abstract: This article discusses a sustainable low-carbon development strategy that uses nuclear heat sources to replace coal boilers at existing coal power plants in China, to help support a resource and cost-effective low-carbon development. Based on the local situation in China, a three-stage strategy to explore the potential of repowering coal power by nuclear energy is proposed. The main focus of this study is to conduct a more detailed exploration of the 1st stage of this strategy, which includes coal plants located on the coast in regions that already have nuclear power installations. The study makes use of HTR-PM modular reactor for retrofit analysis for the types of coal units present in 1st stage of the strategy. The results show that: 1. There is a technical and economic basis for exploring nuclear power retrofit decarbonization. This conclusion is backed up by on-site transformation analysis and demonstration of the conversion of representative plant units to ensure the validity and reliability of the data. 2. This research provides a new pathway for the problem of stranded assets in China’s power sector decarbonization. The use of HTR-PM modules for retrofit can save up to 1200 billion $ as well as retaining local jobs and economic activity in areas currently hosting coal plants, which brings to society great economic and social benefits.

Keywords: retrofit; three-stage strategy; HTR-PM; stranded assets; economic benefits (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 (6)

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