Feasibility of wind power and photovoltaics replacing nuclear power

Abstract

The paper studies the feasibility of using renewable energy (specifically wind power and photovoltaics) to replace nuclear power in terms of area acquisition, grid scheduling, and overall cost and benefit. The development of renewable energy in Taiwan is restricted by area availability. Assuming a power generation capacity of four nuclear power plants, the analysis finds that wind and photovoltaic (PV) power would respectively require about 33.7 and 88.5 times the area required for the nuclear power plants. The paper also studies operating reserve requirements to prevent power outages resulting from unexpected changes of wind or PV output, finding that at least 2 gas-fired power plants with the level of Da-tam power storage plant are required at a cost of about NT$565.5 billion. Furthermore, based on the scenario of My 2050 L-4 with a more active program, wind power and PVs replacement of nuclear power would only become feasible in 2035 and require a total investment of NT$2,590 billion, equivalent to about 9 times of construction costs of Taiwan's 4th nuclear power plant. Renewable energy is intermittent and unsteady and, as largescale renewable energy is increasingly integrated into the power grid, providing a stable electricity supply will be a critical consideration in determining the future role of nuclear power in Taiwan.