In the quest to decarbonise the electricity grid, researchers are exploring innovative solutions to integrate high levels of renewable energy sources (RES) and maintain grid stability. A recent study published in the International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems, led by Aimon Mirza Baig from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Imperial College London, offers a novel approach to optimise energy production and ancillary services in the Great Britain power system.
The study addresses a critical challenge: as more non-synchronous RES like wind and solar are integrated into the grid, the uncertainties they introduce can lead to grid frequency deterioration. This, in turn, increases the demand for ancillary services such as inertia and Frequency Response (FR). Traditional nuclear power plants, with their limited operational flexibility, struggle to provide these services, potentially hindering the cost-effective achievement of net-zero emissions targets.
Baig and his team propose a solution: Flexible Nuclear Power Plants (FNPPs). By incorporating thermal energy storage and secondary steam Rankine cycles, nuclear plants can become more flexible, better equipped to provide FR services, and more effectively integrated with RES. “The key is to optimise the simultaneous provision of energy production, synchronised inertia, and primary FR from conventional power plants and FNPPs, while also leveraging enhanced FR from wind,” Baig explains.
The researchers developed a novel ancillary services constrained stochastic unit commitment model. This model optimises the provision of energy and FR services, explicitly considering the uncertainties associated with wind generation using a quantile-based scenario tree method. The effectiveness of this model was demonstrated through case studies conducted on the 2030 GB power system.
The results are promising. The simultaneous co-optimisation of FNPPs and FR services provided by FNPPs and wind leads to economic savings and significant reductions in carbon emissions costs. “This approach not only enhances the operational flexibility of nuclear power plants but also maximises the utilisation of RES, paving the way for a more sustainable and cost-effective energy future,” Baig states.
The implications of this research are far-reaching. By improving the operational flexibility of nuclear power plants and optimising the integration of RES, this study offers a roadmap for other regions grappling with similar challenges. It highlights the potential of FNPPs to play a pivotal role in the transition to a low-carbon energy system.
As the energy sector continues to evolve, the insights from this study could shape future developments in ancillary services, renewable energy integration, and nuclear power plant flexibility. The research underscores the importance of innovative solutions in achieving a sustainable and resilient energy future.