Analysis of controls for integrated energy storage system in energy arbitrage configuration with concrete thermal energy storage

Abstract

Integrated energy systems (IES) are continuing to gain research support, as high-level studies indicate that systems integrating nuclear power, energy storage, and renewable sources can reduce carbon emissions and maintain grid stability. This paper details new modeling (written in the Modelica language) capable of dynamically measuring the system-wide feedback of a nuclear power plant (NPP) maneuvering through energy arbitrage. This is accomplished through integration with a thermal energy storage (TES) system via a novel turbomachinery model design that integrates seamlessly with standard fluid network analysis via conservation-law-based analysis. A new control system is implemented to enable the NPP modal operation to meet a 5-day power demand profile generated from Idaho Power Company data. Compared to scaling dispatchable power systems to maximum demand, 20% more power can be generated by using energy arbitrage over this dataset. These detailed physical models provide a novel confirmation of methods previously used to support nuclear IES.