Optimal Operation of SMR-RES Hybrid Energy System for Electricity & District Heating

Cogeneration coupling of small modular reactor (SMR)-based nuclear power plants (NPPs) with district heating (DH) systems enhances an SMR’s ability to provide flexible operation. Coordinated reactor control and DH steam extraction can fulfill the load following requirements, while a battery energy storage system (BESS) and steam bypass system can absorb short-term disturbances, allowing the system to host renewable energy sources (RESs) such as wind and photovoltaics (PV). This paper develops an optimal operation framework for a SMR-RES hybrid energy system for electricity and DH and demonstrates the proposed scheme using a portion of the IEEE-30 bus system. Simulation results from a set of studies are provided to demonstrate load following (LF) and frequency regulation (FR) operation for a month-long period. The operational results for different RES hosting levels are analyzed, evaluating the optimum size of wind and PV plants for the proposed system. The results show the proposed hybrid energy system is feasible as a stand-alone system and can optimally host as high as 50% renewables.