Journal of Critical Infrastructure Policy • Volume 1 , Number 2 • Fall / Winter 2020
How Nuclear Power Can Transform Electric Grid and Critical Infrastructure Resilience
Sherrell R . Greene 1
1
Abstract
No element of a nation ’ s Critical Infrastructure ( CI ) is more essential than the electric Grid — the system that generates and delivers electricity to power homes , businesses , industry , other Critical Infrastructure , and a nation ’ s Strategic Asset Supply Chains ( SASCs ). Grid resilience — the Grid ’ s ability to anticipate , absorb , adapt to , and recover from major disruptions , and to rapidly restore electric service in the wake of them — is a matter of paramount importance . This paper examines the potential for nuclear power ( and particularly the development of a new generation of resilient Nuclear Power Plants , or “ rNPPS ”) to transform Grid , CI , and SASC resilience via deployment of rNPPs in resilient Critical Infrastructure Islands , or “ rCIIs .” The nature of society ’ s dependence on electricity and the Grid that generates and delivers electricity to consumers is briefly examined . The scope of natural hazards and malevolent human threats to the Grid are summarized . The concept of Grid resilience is next introduced . The role of current-generation nuclear power plants in the Grid and in achieving Grid resilience is assessed . The two defining attributes and Six Functional Requirements of resilient Power Plants ( rPPs ) and resilient Nuclear Power Plants ( rNPPs ) are presented . Next , the results of a small survey and preliminary evaluation of the resilience attributes of some new Small Modular Reactor ( SMR ) and Micro Modular Reactor ( MMR ) nuclear power plant concepts are described . It is concluded that some SMR and MMR concepts are likely to exhibit some or all of the Six Functional Requirements of rNPPs . Barriers to development and deployment of rCIIs and rNPPs are briefly summarized . Finally , a few recommendations for efforts that can refine our understanding of the efficacy of rNPPs and rCIIs , and enable their development and deployment , are offered .
Keywords : Electric Grid resilience , next generation nuclear power , Critical Infrastructure , Strategic Asset Supply Chain , Small Modular Reactor , SMR , MMR , rNPP , rCII
37 doi : 10.18278 / jcip . 1.2.4