Wednesday, 30 September 2020

Flexible Nuclear Energy for Clean Energy Systems
7th Annual Meeting of Innovation for Cool Earth Forum 2020

Jill Engel-CoxDirector, Joint Institute for Strategic Energy Analysis
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Golden, Colorado, USA

Renewable-nuclear hybrid energy solutions

Source: Ruth, Mark, et al, 2016. The Economic Potential of Two Nuclear-Renewable Hybrid Energy Systems, NREL/TP-6A50- 66073. https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy16osti/66073.pdf

International Efforts for Clean Energy—Nuclear Innovation: Clean Energy
Future (NICE Future), an initiative of the Clean Energy Ministerial
The NICE Future initiative explores the potential for
nuclear energy uses, innovations, and greater systems
integration to accelerate progress toward clean energygoals. The initiative recognizes there is no one-size-fitsall solution to energy and fosters collaboration among
clean energy supporters in exploring diverse solutions.
Lead Countries

Participant Countries

Kenya

JordanFocus Areas
Exploring innovative applications foradvanced nuclear systems both electricand non-electric.
—
Pooling experience on economics,
including valuation, markets structure,
and ability to finance.
—Engaging policy makers andstakeholders regarding energy choices
for the future.
—Communicating nuclear energy’s role inclean integrated energy systems anddeveloping the nuclear workforce ofthe future.

External Partners
International Energy Agency
OECD Nuclear Energy Agency

International Atomic Energy Agency
International Framework for Nuclear Energy
Cooperation
Generation IV International Forum
ClearPath

Third Way
Energy for Humanity
Energy Options Network
Women in Nuclear Global
International Youth Nuclear Congress

Nuclear Industry Council
Nuclear Energy InstituteWorld Nuclear Association
American Nuclear Society
Electricité de France
For more information, visit
nice-future.org.

Flexible Nuclear Energy for Clean Energy Systems Campaign• The purpose of the NICE Future initiative and Flexible NuclearCampaign is to pool international experience with continued
advancements in nuclear technologies and share this experience
with the broader CEM community.
• The Flexible Nuclear Campaign is an exploration of the potentialfor nuclear to fit into an energy system to create a clean-energy
future that will sustain the planet and allow its citizens to thrive.

• Development of a technical report engaged experts from nine
ministries, five multi-governmental organizations, and 14 otherorganizations.
• Full report available athttps://www.nice-future.org/flexible-nuclear-energy-clean-energy-systems
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Contributions from a diverse set of authors and advisors• Natural Resources Canada•

Canadian Nuclear Association•

Gen IV International Forum• UK Dept for Business, Energy andIndustrial Strategy•

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories•

International Atomic Energy Agency•

Japan Atomic Energy Agency•

International Energy Agency•

Japan Atomic Industrial Forum•

OECD Nuclear Energy Agency• Agency for Natural Resources andEnergy, Ministry of Economy, Tradeand Industry of Japan•

Kenya Nuclear Power & Energy Agency

World Nuclear Association••Electricite de France• ClearPath•

UK Nuclear Industry Association•

Exelon Generation• Energy for Humanity•

UK Nuclear Innovation and ResearchOffice•

Nuclear Energy Institute•Idaho National Laboratory•

Massachusetts Institute of Technology•

National Renewable Energy Laboratory•

Tokyo Institute of Technology•

American Nuclear Society•International Framework for Nuclear Energy
Cooperation•

International Framework for Nuclear Energy
Cooperation•LucidCatalyst•

U.S. Nuclear Industry Council• US DOE and Dept of State5

Key Findings: Flexible Nuclear Energy for Clean Energy Systems• Flexibility: “The ability of nuclear energy generation toeconomically provide energy services at the time and location they
are needed by end-users. These energy services can include bothelectric and non-electric applications utilizing both traditional andadvanced nuclear power plants and integrated systems.”• Operational flexibility: There is an established body ofknowledge surrounding current sources of flexible
nuclear energy and its constraints.

• Product flexibility: Innovation can increase the flexibilityof existing nuclear reactors to produce both clean
electricity and beneficial non-electric products.
• Deployment flexibility: Advanced reactors will present
even more opportunities for flexibility in nuclear systems
at various scales.

Nuclear flexibility can enable other clean energy
generators.
https://www.nice-future.org/flexible-nuclear-energy-clean-energy-systems

Reimagining Nuclear-Renewable Systems with Innovation

Images courtesy of GAIN and Third Way, inspired by the Nuclear Energy Reimagined concept led by INL.. Learn more at thirdway.org/blog/nuclear-reimagined7

Thank you!
NREL/PR-6A50-77960
www.nice-future.org

This work was authored in part by the National Renewable
Energy Laboratory, operated by Alliance for Sustainable
Energy, LLC, for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) underContract No. DE-AC36-08GO28308. Funding provided by
the Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy The
views expressed herein do not necessarily represent theviews of the DOE, the U.S. Government, or sponsors.

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