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Researchers identify US plants fit for coal-to-nuclear transition

The University of Michigan has released the findings of a study, which they are calling the “most comprehensive coal-to-nuclear analysis to date”.

Researchers identify US plants fit for coal-to-nuclear transition
(Image by Peter H from Pixabay )

The University of Michigan has released the findings of a study, which they are calling the “most comprehensive coal-to-nuclear analysis to date”.

The study, Investigation of potential sites for coal-to-nuclear energy transitions in the United States, ranks the feasibility of converting 245 operational coal power plants in the US into advanced nuclear reactors, a strategy being considered by electric utilities and the Department of Energy.

Converting coal plants into nuclear power plants allows for the same generation of stable, base-load power, but with less emissions. Also, the new nuclear plants can utilize the existing infrastructure, such as transmission lines and provide an economic boost for areas reliant on coal plants for jobs.

“With no new coal plants planned and many utilities aiming to retire all coal power plants within 15 years in the US, transitioning to cleaner energy sources is crucial,” said Md Rafiul Abdussami, a doctoral student of nuclear engineering and radiological sciences at U-M and corresponding author of the study published in Energy Reports.

The data set was generated using a tool called ‘Siting Tool for Advances Nuclear Development‘ co-developed by the University of Michigan, Argonne National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the National Reactor Innovation Center.

The tool allowed researchers to factor in several variables to select the most feasible locations. These factors include safety, nearby population, regulatory situation, and socio-economic factors.

The results revealed the most feasible locations for transitioning from coal to nuclear, as well as the opportunities and challenges for each location.

For example, researchers identified that the R M Schahfer coal plant in Indiana emerged as the most feasible smaller electric capacity site, while the AES Petersburg plant in Indiana was top-ranked among the larger electric capacity sites.

The colour-coded scatterplot shows the feasibility of coal-to-nuclear transitions at larger coal plants, more than 1,000 megawatts electric, plotted by latitude and longitude. Red and warm colours represent high feasibility, transitioning through green to dark blue as the lowest feasibility. Image credit: Md Rafiul Abdussami, Fastest Path to Zero, University of Michigan

“This data set can support economic revitalization plans in regions affected by coal plant closures and provide information for engagement efforts in coal communities considering hosting clean energy facilities,” said Aditi Verma, assistant professor of nuclear engineering and radiological sciences at U-M and senior author of the study.

Policymakers and utilities can use the study findings to guide strategic planning and investments, ensuring a smoother transition from coal to nuclear, while maximizing grid stability.

“My hope is that this work, which looks at the potential for coal-to-nuclear transitions in a very granular way, for each coal plant across the country, can inform the national and state-level conversations that are unfolding in real time,” Verma said.

According to Kirsty Gogan, co-founder and managing partner of TerraPraxis and co-founder Eric Ingersoll, repowering existing coal plant infrastructure is the largest single carbon abatement opportunity on the planet, which will sustain jobs and community tax revenues associated with existing coal plants

Repowering coal fleets “offers a fast, low-risk, large-scale and equitable contribution to decarbonizing the world’s power generation”.

Originally published by Pamela Largue in Power Engineering International.