Dynamic modelling and optimisation of a Small Modular Reactor for electricity production and district heating in the Helsinki region

Guido C. Masotti, David Haubensack, Jussi Pekka Ikonen, Tomi J. Lindroos, Stefano Lorenzi*, Gabriel L. Pavel, Marco E. Ricotti

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference article in proceedingsScientificpeer-review

Abstract

The decarbonisation of the heat sector represents one of the main challenges to be tackled for the energy transition. In this context, nuclear reactors could play a key role by providing dispatchable and low-carbon heat and power. This paper investigates the potential of integrating a light-water cooled Small Modular Reactor (SMR) into a nuclear hybrid energy system (NHES), in which the thermal power produced by the reactor is dynamically allocated for power production or to drive non-electric applications, in particular for supplying heat to the district heating network (DHN) in the metropolitan area of Helsinki, Finland. The aim of this work is to propose a NHES architecture tailored for this purpose, encompassing the SMR, the balance of plant, and the DHN. The proposed balance of plant, obtained with the CYCLOP tool, has been modified by including an intermediate heat exchanger to transfer thermal power to the DHN. These subsystems were modelled in the object-oriented modelling language Modelica to test the dynamic response of the global architecture in different case studies based on the Backbone optimisation model output. The ultimate goal of this work is to evaluate the opportunities of deploying a NHES to supply heat to the DHN in the Helsinki area, focusing on dynamic operation to meet different heat requirements. In general, the simulation outcomes indicate that the NHES could meet variable heat demands while operating the reactor at nominal conditions. However, a notable mismatch between the power flows obtained with the dynamic model and those generated by the optimiser is observed. This discrepancy can be partially attributed to the DHN’s high thermal inertia, pointing out the importance of considering the system’s dynamics when estimating its optimal operation.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2024 International Congress on Advances in Nuclear Power Plants (ICAPP)
PublisherAmerican Nuclear Society (ANS)
Pages581-590
ISBN (Print)978-0-89448-799-6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024
MoE publication typeA4 Article in a conference publication
Event2024 International Congress on Advances in Nuclear Power Plants, ICAPP 2024 - Las Vegas, United States
Duration: 16 Jun 202419 Jun 2024

Conference

Conference2024 International Congress on Advances in Nuclear Power Plants, ICAPP 2024
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityLas Vegas
Period16/06/2419/06/24

Funding

The TANDEM project is funded by the European Union from the Euratom research and training program work program 2021-2022, under grant agreement No 101059479.

Keywords

  • district heating
  • dynamic model
  • Nuclear hybrid energy system
  • Small Modular Reactor
  • techno-economic optimization

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