Techno-Economic Evaluation of Interconnected Nuclear-Renewable Micro Hybrid Energy Systems with Combined Heat and Power

Hossam A Gabbar,Md Ibrahim Adham,Muhammad R Abdussami

doi:10.3390/en13071642

Hossam A Gabbar, Md Ibrahim Adham + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/en13071642

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Journal: Energies	Publication Date: Apr 2, 2020
Citations: 20	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Abstract

Renewable energy sources (RESs) play an indispensable role in sustainable advancement by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Nevertheless, due to the shortcomings of RESs, an energy mix with RESs is required to support the baseload and to avoid the effects of RES variability. Fossil fuel-based thermal generators (FFTGs), like diesel generators, have been used with RESs to support the baseload. However, using FFTGs with RESs is not a good option to reduce GHG emissions. Hence, the small-scale nuclear power plant (NPPs), such as the micro-modular reactor (MMR), have become a modern alternative to FFTGs. In this paper, the authors have investigated five different hybrid energy systems (HES) with combined heat and power (CHP), named ‘conventional small-scale fossil fuel-based thermal energy system,’ ‘small-scale stand-alone RESs-based energy system,’ ‘conventional small-scale fossil fuel-based thermal and RESs-based HES,’ ‘small-scale stand-alone nuclear energy system,’ and ‘nuclear-renewable micro hybrid energy system (N-R MHES),’ respectively, in terms of net present cost (NPC), cost of energy (COE), and GHG emissions. A sensitivity analysis was also conducted to identify the impact of the different variables on the systems. The results reveal that the N-R MHES could be the most suitable scheme for decarbonization and sustainable energy solutions.

Highlights

According to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, seventeen Sustainable DevelopmentGoals (SDGs) are set for action by both developed and developing countries
This study reported that with optimization, the nuclear-wind system with a hydrogen production facility could be an economically viable option in the future
MHES is compared with four other different energy systems

Summary

Introduction

According to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, seventeen Sustainable Development. Goals (SDGs) are set for action by both developed and developing countries. SDGs, one of the most crucial goals is “Affordable and Clean Energy.”. The objective of the goal “Affordable and Clean Energy” is to ensure affordable, resilient, and modern forms of energy, and sustainable and carbon-free electricity for the planet [1]. Electricity is a fundamental requirement for global advancement and economic growth. The demand for electricity is growing proportionally to the population and economic development. The world is undergoing two challenges for managing the high demand for electricity; one problem is how to support the high demand for electricity without exploiting finite energy resources (mainly fossil fuels), and another challenge is how to produce electricity without affecting the environment [2]

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Results

Conclusion