Selecting Favorable Energy Storage Technologies for Nuclear Power

Abstract

Energy storage technologies can enable nuclear power plants to follow electricity demand throughout the day and minimize cycling costs. Several dynamic performance requirements and heuristics (such as cost and environmental impact) are presented in this chapter to compare energy storage technologies that could be integrated with nuclear power. These characteristics are compared to suggest potential energy storage integration options for Plant Vogtle units 3 and 4, two pressurized-water nuclear reactors being built in the United States. This chapter suggests that thermal energy storage technologies such as hot and cold water storage might be the most favorable for integration with a nuclear power plant due to their low cost and limited environmental impact.