Capacity Expansion Research Articles

Addiktológiai ellátásba kerülést nehezítő tényezők a hazai segítő szakemberek percepciója tükrében

Background and aim: Based on national annual statistical data, estimates can be made on the number of the clients entered treatment. However, these data provide information on the addiction treatment’s capacity rather than on the real number of people with substance use disorders. A lot of international research found that many clients do not access addiction treatment due to personal, social and structural factors. In Hungary, research on entering treatment’s barriers is more limited – our aim is to analyse the gaps in the substance use disorder treatment. Method: Qualitative method was applied. The target group consisted of national professionals who have been working in treatment for several years at health care system or social service providers in Budapest. 11 interviews were conducted. Verbatim transcriptions were analysed using qualitative thematic analysis. Result and conclusion: Several structural, organisational, and personal barriers of accessibility to substance use treatment have been explored. No change in the last 5-10 years has been found regarding the funding and unpredictability of funding in the field; the political interests of decision making that ignore experts’ opinion; the unpredictable legal environment with administrative burdens; the attitudes of society towards drug use; the lack of qualified workforce. National and international research also suggests that there are deep, systemic problems in substance use treatment, which can be addressed through social sensitisation programmes, evidence-based decision-making involving experts, prevention, a more predictable legal and financial environment, capacity expansion and meaningful information.

Dynamic metal-ligand coordination enables a hydrogel with rewritable dual-mode pattern display.

The realization of dual-mode information display in the same material is of great significance to the expansion of information capacity and the improvement of information security. However, the existing systems lose the ability to re-encode information once they are constructed. Here, dynamic metal-ligand coordination is introduced into a novel hydrogel-based optical platform that allows rewritable dual-mode information display. The hydrogel system consists of a hard lamellar structure of poly(dodecylglyceryl itaconate) (pDGI) and soft double networks of poly(acrylamide)/poly(acrylic acid) (PAAm/PAAc) containing fluorescent carbon dots (CDs). As the carboxylic acid groups can coordinate with metal ions such as Al3+, the layer spacing of the lamellar structure is reduced while CDs aggregate, leading to the blue shift of the structural color and the red shift of the fluorescent color. Additionally, the metal chelating agent, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), is able to strip away Al3+ ions and restore the two colors, realizing an erasable dual-mode information display. This study opens up a path for the development of new materials and technologies for rewritable dual-mode information protection.

Study on the predicament and sustainable development of the alumina smelting industry in China

On the basis of a comprehensive review of the production and technology status of China's alumina industry, the main contradictions and challenges in the development of China's alumina industry in terms of resources, energy and environmental governance are analyzed, and the production cost is compared and analyzed worldwide. It is believed that the main factors restricting the sustainable development of alumina industry in China are the lack of sufficient high-quality bauxite resources in China, the production technology needs to be further optimized, and the generated solid and hazardous waste is difficult to realize harmless and resource utilization. In this regard, this paper puts forward the strategy for the sustainable development of China's alumina industry, that is, strictly control the disorderly and rapid expansion of production capacity and reasonable layout, optimize the resource and energy supply structure, implement the industrial development strategy of high quality, energy saving and low consumption to improve the core competitiveness, and accelerate the realization of the standard discharge and resource utilization of waste gas, wastewater and solid waste. The results of this paper are of great significance to the strategy of industrial structure adjustment and sustainable development of alumina industry in China.

RENEWABLE HORIZONS: INVESTIGATING FEASIBILITY IN CONSUMPTION TRENDS

The European Union's ambitious target to achieve zero emissions from passenger cars by 2035 has sparked significant strategic overhauls among European car manufacturers, pushing them towards a 100% electric vehicle fleet. Concurrently, a forthcoming heating law, slated to take effect from 2024 initially in Germany, aims to drastically curtail the installation of gas and oil heating systems in favour of heat exchangers. These legislative shifts are already straining the power grid, necessitating a substantial expansion of renewable energy capacity. Projections indicate an ongoing surge in energy demand, underscoring the imperative of a global transition away from fossil fuels. However, this endeavour poses formidable challenges for nations worldwide. This study delves into the current state of renewable energy and its projected evolution, stressing the imperative of significantly boosting renewable energy deployment to achieve sustainable electrification of passenger vehicles globally. It highlights the need to triple the share of renewable energy sources, quadruple efforts across all transportation sectors, and increase the overall transition away from fossil fuels fifteenfold. While conventional renewables such as solar, wind, hydro, and biofuels remain integral, emerging technologies like nuclear fusion offer promising avenues. Nonetheless, attaining complete independence from fossil fuels may prove elusive, considering non-energy applications of crude oil and other fossil resources. The study also assesses potential ecological ramifications and balances the environmental impacts of these energy transitions.

Інтеграція водневих технологій у транспортні двигуни внутрішнього згоряння: аналіз впливу на ефективність та екологічність

This article delves into the promising realm of hydrogen technologies in the transportation sector, highlighting their potential to significantly reduce harmful emissions and promote sustainable development. The discussion begins with a comprehensive review of current hydrogen internal combustion engine (ICE) technologies, examining the advancements that have been made and the technical solutions available to enhance the efficiency of these engines. It underscores the environmental benefits of hydrogen ICEs, such as the reduction of greenhouse gases and pollutants, and explores the economic advantages, including decreased dependency on fossil fuels and the creation of new job opportunities. Furthermore, the article discusses the social benefits of adopting hydrogen technologies, such as improved public health and the potential for innovation-driven economic growth. It also addresses the significant infrastructural challenges associated with the production, storage, transportation, and distribution of hydrogen. Potential solutions to these challenges are proposed, including investments in new technologies, expansion of production capacities, and the development of specialized infrastructure. The article provides detailed case studies of successful hydrogen technology implementations in various countries. In Japan, hydrogen-powered buses in Tokyo demonstrate the environmental and technological advancements achieved. Germany’s hydrogen trains by Alstom illustrate the transition from diesel to hydrogen in public transportation, showcasing economic and ecological benefits. South Korea's hydrogen taxis in Seoul highlight the social impact and infrastructural development necessary for widespread adoption. Lastly, California’s extensive network of hydrogen fueling stations supports the growing number of hydrogen cars, reflecting a successful model of public-private partnership and government incentives. Through these case studies, the article emphasizes the transformative potential of hydrogen technologies in creating a sustainable and clean future for transportation. It calls for continued investments in technology, infrastructure, and collaboration between governments and the private sector to overcome existing challenges and fully realize the benefits of hydrogen as a key energy source in the transportation sector.

Determining the Upper Economic Limit of Wind Fleets

Wind fleets have become significant energy sources within national grids. However, future expansion of wind fleet capacity may result in little incremental benefit due to the inability of present grid architectures to absorb high levels of excess generation. Determining the upper economic limit is a topical issue but its solution is complicated by variations in energy system architectures and local weather conditions, making energy models essential to system planning. This paper outlines a simplified methodology, referred to as the histogram model, to calculate the upper economic limit for wind fleets, based on annual data for energy generation, recorded at hourly intervals, and the system’s headroom, defined as the difference between base load and demand. The amount of ‘useful energy’ is derived from the wind energy frequency table, the total installed wind fleet capacity, and the headroom. The calculations lead to values for the incremental decarbonisation cost, which can be directly compared to the cost of decarbonisation for gas-based energy generation. The results indicate that the upper economic limit is a wind fleet capacity of 3 times the headroom, where 78% of the required energy is derived from wind and the wind fleet efficiency is 82% (18%of the available wind energy is shed). The development of the model has implications for energy planners, who can now more easily simulate the performance of energy systems as a function of various input parameters. Keywords: Economic Limit, Incremental Decarbonisation, Wind, Histogram Model

Аналіз та огляд прогнозів світового виробництва металургійного коксу

DOI: 10.31081/1681-309X-2024-0-1-3-7 Specialty 161. U.D.C. 338.27:662.749.2 ANALYSIS AND REVIEW OF FORECASTS OF WORLD METALLURGICAL COKE PRODUCTION © S.A. Kravchenko, PhD in Technical Sciences, S.V. Chaplianko, PhD in Technical Sciences "STATE INSTITUTE FOR DESIGNING ENTERPRISES OF COKE OVEN AND BY-PRODUCT PLANTS'' (SE "GIPROKOKS''), 61002, 60 Sumska str., Kharkiv, Ukraine) The article considers and analyses the volumes of global iron and steel production in 2019-2023. It is shown that during this period it had fluctuating trends: the deviation between the minimum and maximum values was 109 million tonnes (7.7 %) for iron and 112 million tonnes (5.7 %) for steel. Domestic steel production in 2019-2021 was characterised by an increase of 1.1 million tonnes (5.2 %) in iron and fluctuations (the deviation was 0.8 million tonnes, i.e. 3.7 %) in steel, and a sharp decrease of 14.8 million tonnes (69.7 %) in steel. t (69.8 %) for iron and 15.1 million tonnes (70.6 %) for steel in 2022 and a further decrease of 0.4 million tonnes (6.2 %) for iron and 0.1 million tonnes (1.6 %) for steel in 2023 is due to the consequences of Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine. The article considers and analyses the volumes of global production of metallurgical coke in 20192021. It is shown that during this period it had fluctuating trends: the deviation was 21 million tonnes (3.0 %). The volume of coke production in China in 2020-2023 increased at an average annual growth rate of 2.2, 2.4, and 3.8 %, respectively. Domestic production of metallurgical coke in 20192021 was characterised by a decrease in volume by 0.44 million tonnes (5.2 %), and a rapid decrease by 5.6 million tonnes (59.0 %) in 2022 is also due to the consequences of armed aggression. Separate forecasts for global metallurgical coke production in the short and long term are considered. It is shown that there is no consensus on the development of global coke production. The most negative scenario is a decline in global coke production to $84.016 billion (USD) in 2029, while the most positive is an increase to $325.78 billion in 2034. In 2024, on average, the global metallurgical coke market will be around $106 billion according to negative forecasts and around $205 billion according to positive forecasts. Given the World steel Association's weak positive outlook for global steel production, as well as the existing increase in coke production in China in 2020-2023 and the planned expansion of coke production capacity in India and Brazil, a restrained positive outlook for global coke production is most likely (for 2024 and beyond). Keywords: cast iron, steel, metallurgical coke, coke-chemical production, analysis, forecast. Corresponding author S.V. Chaplyanko, e-mail: chaplianko_sv@ukr.net

General Pairwise Modification Framework for Reversible Data Hiding in JPEG Images

Pairwise modification is one of the most effective ways to solve the critical issues of balancing the embedding capacity, image distortion, and file expansion in JPEG reversible data hiding (RDH). To design a satisfactory scheme based on pairwise modification, existing schemes focus on improving pairing rules, two-dimensional (2D) mappings, or ordering strategies separately while neglecting the connections between them. As a result, once pairing rules are changed, the correlative 2D mapping and ordering strategies are no longer available. To address such issues, this study proposes a framework that automatically generates optimal 2D mappings and efficient ordering strategies only by carefully initializing pairing rules. To construct optimal 2D mappings, a 2D mapping mathematical model is built to form a feasible 2D mapping solution space, in which optimal solutions are found, to assign efficient mappings for pairs with high probability. To design efficient ordering strategies, all frequencies are ranked according to an embedding evaluation model to determine more suitable ACs for data embedding. To initialize better pairing rules, this study selects nonzero ACs within ±2 for interblock pairing to form a more centralized pairwise histogram. The experimental results show that the proposed scheme introduces minor file expansion and obtains better visual quality than existing JPEG RDH schemes when the payload is the same as.

Theoretical study on the elastic and thermodynamic properties of CdS

The physical properties of CdS is calculated by using the first principles pseudopotential plane wave method based on density functional theory (DFT). The calculated lattice parameters and elastic constants agree well with other theoretical values, and the crystal is determined to be structurally stable by the Born mechanical stability condition. The Debye temperature, Grüneisen parameters, heat capacity and thermal expansion coefficient of CdS under high temperature and high pressure were studied successfully by using the quasi-harmonic Debye model. The influence of pressure on thermal expansion coefficient and Debye temperature is greater than that of temperature. The heat capacity decreases with the increase of pressure. At high temperature and high pressure, the heat capacity approaches the Dulong-Petit limit.

Simple and low-cost anion exchange membrane based on PVA and PDC for acid recovery by diffusion dialysis

Anion exchange membranes were prepared by a simple method on the basis of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and 1,4-Piperazinedicarboxaldehyde (PDC). A network structure was formed in the membranes by cross-linking between PVA and PDC. The mechanical stability and acid stability the prepared membranes was tested. The TS value was tested as 17.5–37.8 MPa, Eb was 120.4–54.7% and the mass retention in the acid environment was 98.4–97.2%. Meanwhile, the physicochemical properties of membranes, such as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), water absorption (WR), ion exchange capacity (IEC) and linear expansion rate (LER). WR was 106.9–136.7%, IEC was 1.03–1.55 mmol/g, and LER was 37.93–33.33%. In practical application, diffusion dialysis (DD) performance of membranes were tested. In DD test, the acid dialysis coefficient (UH+) was 17.5–27.9 × 10−3 m/h, and the separation factor (S) was 31.25–23.38. The UH+ and S were all higher than commercial membrane DF-120 (UH+ is 9 × 10−3 m/h and S is 18.00). Results were shown that the comprehensive properties of membranes were good. Therefore, the prepared membranes had broad application prospects for acid recovery by diffusion dialysis.

Effect of Aerobic Exercises on Ventilatory Functions in Women With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The goal of this research was to investigate the effects of aerobic exercises (AEs) on ventilatory functions, chest expansion, exercise capacity, and quality of life in women with rheumatoid arthritis. A total of 66 women diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis were assigned randomly to two groups of the same size. Over a period of 12 weeks, the AE group engaged in aerobic workouts of moderate-to-high intensity, three times per week, along with diaphragmatic breathing exercises, whereas the control group only received diaphragmatic breathing exercises. Outcome measures included forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in the first second, total lung capacity, upper and lower chest expansions, maximal oxygen consumption, physical component score, and mental component score components of the 12-item Short Form Health Survey. Compared with baseline measurements, the AE and control groups exhibited substantial improvements in all outcomes by the completion of the trial (p < .05). Compared with the controls, the AE group revealed substantial increases in forced vital capacity (10.2% vs. 4.8%, p = .02), forced expiratory volume in the first second (8.9% vs. 4.07%, p = .01), total lung capacity (10.86% vs. 5.35%, p = .008), upper chest expansion (21.37% vs. 11.71%, p = .04), lower chest expansion (28.33% vs. 10.63%, p = .03), maximal oxygen consumption (30.7% vs. 15.01%, p = .01), physical component score (17.68% vs. 11.04%, p = .003), and mental component score (25.65% vs. 13.21%, p = .01). In women with rheumatoid arthritis, the addition of moderate-to-high AE to diaphragmatic breathing exercises could improve ventilatory functions, chest expansion, exercise capacity, and quality of life.

Effects of Scalene Muscle Stretching on Slow Vital Capacity and Chest Expansion in Patients After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: An Interventional Study

Background: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a coronary revascularization technique associated with diminished pulmonary function. During the first week after CABG, slow vital capacity (SVC) decreases by 30%–60%. Scalene muscles affect pulmonary function because they attach to the 1st and 2nd ribs. Shorter scalene muscles can decrease inhalation volume and chest expansion. Very few studies have assessed the effects of scalene stretching on SVC and chest expansion in patients post-CABG. Therefore, this study was aimed at determining the effects of scalene muscle stretching on SVC and chest expansion in such patients. Methods: A total of 74 patients post-CABG (phase 2) meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated to two groups: an intervention group (n = 30) performing scalene muscle stretching and a control group (n = 30) performing active neck exercise. Pre & Post SVC and chest expansion were measured in all patients. A total of 14 patients were excluded. Statistical analysis was conducted in SPSS software (version 20.0). Results: SVC showed significant increase (P < 0.05) in the intervention group compared with the control group. Chest expansion was statistically non-significant between groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion and clinical implications: Scalene muscle stretching improves SVC in patients post-CABG (phase 2). Hence, scalene stretching should be included in programs for improving respiratory function.

A Scientometric Analysis of the Capacity Expansion and Planning Research

Numerous technoeconomic factors have had a considerable impact on the industrial and service sectors. The best uses of production and service resources have been a main research area. Capacity planning, which aims at the optimum utilization of resources, has attracted a lot of scholarly attention. To the best of our knowledge, however, there has never been a scientometric analysis published on this subject; as a result, the goal of this article is to provide the first such analysis. The goal of this study is to gain a thorough structural view of the background and important facets of capacity expansion and planning research. The Web of Science database, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace software are used to give an overview. Our research indicates that after the year 2000, the publication rate increased significantly. Applications for capacity planning can be divided into eight main groups based on the authors' keyword analysis. We also list both well-known and underutilized modeling and solution methods. Recent applications, research trends, and some omissions are highlighted in this study. Leading contributing countries, institutions, and the most common research outlets are mapped and analyzed. Finally, some potential future research topics are suggested

Achieving Emission-Reduction Goals: Multi-Period Power-System Expansion Under Short-Term Operational Uncertainty

Stochastic adaptive robust optimization is capable of handling short-term uncertainties in demand and variable renewable-energy sources that affect investment in generation and transmission capacity. We build on this setting by considering a multi-year investment horizon for finding the optimal plan for generation and transmission capacity expansion while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, we incorporate multiple hours in power-system operations to capture hydropower operations and flexibility requirements for utilizing variable renewable-energy sources such as wind and solar power. To improve the computational performance of existing exact methods for this problem, we employ Benders decomposition and solve a mixed-integer quadratic programming problem to avoid computationally expensive big-M linearizations. The results for a realistic case study for the Nordic and Baltic region indicate which investments in transmission, wind power, and flexible generation capacity are required for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Through out-of-sample experiments, we show that the stochastic adaptive robust model leads to lower expected costs than a stochastic programming model under increasingly stringent environmental considerations.

Carbon fiber composite core conductor operation risk assessment model based on various types of monitoring data

Abstract As the national economy grows gradually and the scale of urbanization expands, the standard for power transmission is also continuously increasing. Currently, the existing transmission lines can no longer meet the rising power demand, thus urgently requiring the construction of power transmission capacity expansion. Although there are many strategies for increasing capacity, the development of enhanced conductor material is indeed its greatest advantage. However, among the various options for increasing capacity, the development of capacity-enhancing wires is also the most advantageous. Carbon fiber conductors, which are known as “black gold,” are the perfect material for this purpose. Given the inherent economic value, high brittleness, and complexity of the installation process of carbon fiber materials, this study proposes an operational risk assessment model for carbon fiber composite core conductors based on multiple monitoring data. For the first time, the influence between quarterly lightning strike probability and arc droop as well as the temperature drop effect on overhead transmission conductors by convective heat dissipation from natural wind are taken into account. The expected arc sag size of the conductor in the future period can be predicted according to the meteorological forecast, which can effectively prevent the impact of flashovers and wire breakage on the operation of the power grid. In addition, the practicality and functionality of the assessment model have been verified by real accident data.

Reinforcement Learning With Data Envelopment Analysis and Conditional Value-At-Risk for the Capacity Expansion Problem

The capacity expansion problem is solved by accurately measuring the existing demand-supply mismatch and controlling the emissions output, considering multiple objectives, specific constraints, resource diversity, and resource allocation. This article proposes a reinforcement learning (RL) framework embedded with data envelopment analysis (DEA) to generate the optimal policy and guide the productivity improvement. The proposed framework uses DEA to evaluate efficiency and effectiveness for reward estimation in RL, and also assesses conditional value-at-risk to characterize the risk-averse capacity decision. Instead of focusing on short-term fluctuations in demand, RL optimizes the expected future reward with sequential capacity decisions over time. An empirical study of U.S. power generation validates the proposed framework and provides the managerial implications to policy makers. The results show that the RL agent can successfully learn the optimal policy through observing the interactions between the agent and the environment, and suggest the capacity adjustment that can improve efficiency by 8.3% and effectiveness by 0.9%. We conclude that RL complements productivity analysis, and emphasizes ex-ante planning over ex-post evaluation.

An Innovative Inclusive Approach to Enhancing Agricultural Sustainable Development in Albania: The Case of Nucleus Albania

Agriculture has been essential for humanity's survival, progress, and well-being throughout history, and yet it remains an essential and challenging sector of the global economy. While under a continuous transformational process, advancement towards inclusive and sustainable development of agricultural practice remains a challenge for the sector. In Albania, the agricultural sector is vital to the economy (particularly in the rural areas), accounting for a large share of gross value added, employment, and exporting activity in the country. Rooted in the early 90s land reform law and decollectivisation policy, multiple structural and non-structural challenges hinder the agricultural sector's full potential exploitation. This paper aims to assess the impact of Nucleus Albania's (NA) innovative nuclei approach in strengthening the MSME market position and, in turn, the agricultural sector and sustainable development in Albania. The impact assessment was conducted using a mixed methods approach, including secondary and primary data analysis (collected through a structured questionnaire and direct interviews). Combined findings suggest a positive impact of the NA-tailored support package on MSME business activity, including improved product quality and diversification, expansion of production capacities and customer base, increased employment and annual turnover, and investments in technology. In addition, the collaborative platform established through NA plays an important role in promoting innovation in agriculture and facilitating knowledge exchange among participants, making a substantial contribution to the overall development of the agricultural sector in Albania. Our findings support the NA approach's effectiveness and its role in modernizing and transforming the agricultural sector, contributing to long-term sustainable development in Albania and beyond.

Design and construction of an Arduino-based load-shedding management system for improving electricity consumption in a medium-sized creative office building

Standalone energy generation is revolutionizing electricity production and consumption by offering decentralized and sustainable options, benefiting communities, enhancing resilience, and reducing dependence on traditional power grids. Nevertheless, standalone electricity systems can face overloading issues when demand varies or exceeds capacity, necessitating careful control and adaptable solutions. The scalability of standalone electricity systems is limited by infrastructure, technology, and cost, hindering easy capacity expansion to accommodate higher loads. This paper explores the feasibility of managing load shedding in an office building with a standalone energy source, assessing its impact on optimizing electricity consumption and contributing to operational efficiency, sustainability, and resilience. A hardware prototype has been developed for a programmable interface designed to automatically manage various loads from the distribution board in a controlled manner. This includes controlling lighting, heating, cooling, security devices, and essential office gadgets. The system is implemented and validated through experiments utilizing the Arduino Mega control board. Operators can input load-shedding times flexibly using a 4x4 matrix keypad synchronized with the real-time clock (RTC). The microcontroller then instructs the relay to shed the specified load, displaying the shedding time on the LCD. The results indicate that the programmable interface exhibits a high dynamic response speed, highlighting its effectiveness and flexibility in load-shedding management. Comparing the cost of building the device with the long-term cost of overloading a standalone electricity generator, considering accelerated wear and tear, increased maintenance expenses, reduced operational lifespan, potential premature equipment failure, and overall decreased reliability, underscores the high-cost efficiency of adopting this device in office buildings. Additionally, implementing the system in an office building with an energy consumption of 23 kWh resulted in a discernible annual energy saving of 2.52 kWh by shedding off unnecessary loads at estimated timings.

Highlights and outlook of the Dutch PIONEER 2021–2024 R&D program

The Netherlands has a prominent infrastructure in the field of nuclear energy and medical applications. At present the country operates one nuclear power plant, but with an ambition of extending the lifetime of the current nuclear power plant beyond 60 years and construction of two further nuclear power plants in the coming decade. In addition the country plays a significant role in the enrichment of nuclear fuel with two enrichment plants operated in the east of the Netherlands. Furthermore, the Netherlands is the largest producer of medical isotopes in the world, and has some world renowned medical institutes in the field of nuclear medicine. To compliment this infrastructure the Netherlands also contributes to nuclear innovations, through international research and development (R&D). This paper will provide an overview of the Dutch nuclear infrastructure, and it will present the publicly financed R&D program PIONEER which forms the backbone of nuclear research in the Netherlands. The seven intertwined themes of program will be described, together with a single highlight per theme. The paper will also give an outlook on the expected directions for research for the period’25 to’28. Whereas many of the current topics are expected to remain important for the future multiannual program, the plans for expansion of the nuclear power capacity in the Netherlands will lead to a broadening of the scope to support realization of new nuclear power plants in the country, deployment of water-cooled small modular reactors and developments in advanced reactors.

Effect of investment cost on technology preference in a flexible, low-carbon Finnish power system

This paper investigates the effects of varying investment costs in a cost-optimal portfolio of electricity-generating technologies to achieve a low-carbon power system to help mitigate climate emissions in Finland. Several different cost scenarios for nuclear, solar, wind, and battery technologies are constructed, considering both single- and multi-stage investment-strategy pathways, with sector coupling of the power system to the heating sector and hydrogen production. Potential new nuclear investments are assumed small modular reactors capable of flexible operation, and optional additional flexibility measures from heating and hydrogen sectors are considered. The scenarios are simulated with hourly resolution using GenX, an openly available capacity expansion optimization tool. Across a wide range of assumed investment costs, the results demonstrate a clear role for flexible nuclear power as a provider of both a solid base generation and flexibility to enhance integration of intermittent wind to the system. Despite optimistic cost assumptions for solar and batteries, their role is observed to remain marginal in the Finnish setting, likely due to large seasonal variation in the local solar availability.