How Nuclear Power Can Transform Electric Grid and Critical Infrastructure Resilience
from black starting and operating in island mode , even if the technical challenges previously discussed were overcome ( Greene 2018b ).
The characteristics of present-day NPPs are largely artifacts of designs optimized during the 1960s – 1980s for objectives different than those of today . There is nothing inherent in nuclear reactor and nuclear power technology requiring this to remain the case . Indeed , many intrinsic attributes of nuclear power can enable resilience improvements if the approach to NPP design and deployment can be reimagined and reengineered in light of modern technologies and realities . Nuclear power plants have proven their ability to safely and reliability deliver affordable electricity twenty-four hours a day . Now , as we enter the third decade of the 21 st century , it is time for nuclear power to deliver more fully on the vision of its early developers by enabling a more resilient Grid and Critical Infrastructure for the nation .
Towards Resilient Power Plants ( rPPs )— Non-Nuclear and Nuclear Characteristics of Resilient Power Plants ( rPPs )
Resilient Power Plants or “ rPPs ” have been defined ( Greene 2018a ) as power generation facilities that are intentionally designed , sited , interfaced , and operated in a manner to enhance electric Grid resilience . rPPs would exhibit two primary attributes : ( 1 ) rPPs enhance the Grid ’ s ability to absorb and adapt to a broad spectrum of Grid anomalies and upsets ; and ( 2 ) rPPs enable the Grid to recover from upsets and restore electric service in a manner consistent with the system operator ’ s load prioritization hierarchy .
Two rPP Attributes would be manifested in six rPP Functional Requirements defined in Table 1 ( Greene 2018c ). The six qualitative functional requirements are a reasoned and carefully-crafted set of requirements rooted in a the perspective that power generation facility is a servant of the Grid . The Two rPP Attributes and Six rPP Functional Requirements are technology neutral . Any fossil-fueled , nuclear , or renewable power generation facility that possesses the Two rPP Attributes and achieves the Six rPP Functional Requirements would be considered an rPP . While much work is still required to derive quantitative lower-level functional requirements ( e . g ., to quantify the real and reactive power load following and flexible operating requirements ), the two rPP Attributes and six rPP Functional Requirements provide a sound conceptual and intellectual framework for development of enhanced Grid resilience strategies .
Resilient Nuclear Power Plants ( rNPPs )
A resilient nuclear power plant or “ rNPP ” would exhibit the two rPP Attributes and achieve the six rPP Functional Requirements presented in Table 1 . Like non-nuclear rPPs , rNPPs would be intentionally designed , sited , interfaced , and operated
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