How Nuclear Power Can Transform Electric Grid and Critical Infrastructure Resilience Map CI and SASC Networks to Identify High-Value rNPP and rCII Sites
As previously noted , each U . S . Critical Infrastructure ( CI ) and Strategic Asset Supply Chain ( SASC ) Sector has an established physical network ( a “ grid ”) of its own . Natural gas and petroleum pipelines and the Internet are but two prime examples . Locations in which these networks physically “ overlap ” are natural candidates for high-value deployment of rNPPs and rCIIs . As noted , co-location of MMR rNPPs with existing conventional reactors , and rNPPs of diverse sizes with other CI such as Internet hubs and data centers , refineries , etc . are rather very promising possibilities . Granular knowledge of the geospatial topology of these CI networks has become sensitive and ( typically ) tightly held information . Nevertheless , there is a need to identify immediate , high-value opportunities for siting of rNPPs and rCIIs ( Table 5 , Item 5 ). This type of exercise should be conducted out of public view as a prudent precaution against misuse of the information by malevolent actors .
Create rNPP Market Pull
Firm , first-mover customers in the SMR and Advanced Reactor market are difficult to find outside the venues of strategic planning meetings and casual conversation . Market pull will be needed if new reactors in general and rNPPs in particular , are to become reality . The Federal government is in a unique position to create pathfinder market pull by implementing long-term resilient power purchase agreements at major Federal facilities ( Table 5 , Item 6 ). Some relevant preliminary discussions in this direction have occurred between the private sector , Department of Defense facilities , and Department of Energy National laboratories . However , these discussions have , to date , focused on SMRs , rather than rNPPs ( Kutakrock 2017 ). Such discussions should be expanded to explicitly incorporate the rPP / rNPP resilience attributes and functionalities discussed here .
Distinct from power purchase agreements are the various tax and siting incentives federal , state , and local governments can wield to stimulate investment in rNPPs , rCIIs , CI , and SASCs . Investment tax credits , guaranteed loans , and land transfers are examples of such incentives .
Develop Certified rNPP Designs
It is clear SMR and MMR developers are making progress towards development of new reactors and NPPs that achieve at least some of the six rNPP Functional Requirements . But more intentional effort is needed ( Table 5 , Item 7 ). The U . S . Department of Energy is currently co-sponsoring or stimulating in some manner the development of a limited number of SMR and Advanced Reactor designs . But these activities are not explicitly aimed at assuring the resulting reactor and NPP concepts embody the two rPP / rNPP Attributes and six rPP / rNPP Functional Requirements . These design development / certification efforts should be modified as
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