Nuclear energy is poised to be the backbone of our affordable, reliable, clean energy system, and Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) member utilities see a role for more than 90 gigawatts of nuclear power in support of their decarbonization goals, according to a recent NEI poll. That translates to about 300 new small modular reactors (SMRs), around 731.3 TWh of power, with the bulk coming online by 2050.
Just how much power are we talking?
Carbon-free nuclear power is essential to reaching our climate goals in time to protect our planet from the worst effects of global warming—proven by the fact that this level of planned nuclear energy output would avoid 471 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, over 280,000 tons of sulfur dioxide, and over 235,000 tons of nitrogen dioxide each year.
The carbon emissions avoided by the power output of 300 new small modular reactors is equivalent to:
- Taking 100 million cars off the road, which is 97% of all passenger vehicles on the road each year in the U.S.; and
- Planting over 110 million trees each year.
The 731.3 TWh of electricity generated by these SMRs is equivalent to:
- Powering 68 million homes, or about half of the homes in the U.S.;
- Powering over 176 million electric vehicles each year, with a total of over 2 trillion vehicle miles traveled (VMT); and
- Powering over 367 billion smartphones for a year, which is 1,200 times the number of smartphones in the U.S. and the equivalent to 47 phones for every person in the world.
The utilities surveyed are prepared to invest in nuclear energy because it is a climate solution, and new small modular reactors are simpler and more versatile. Many utilities are evaluating siting new reactors at the site of retiring coal plants, which would provide the jobs and local economic stimulation needed to revitalize communities. This advanced technology will build on the strong foundation of nuclear energy today to help the U.S.—and the world—build a clean energy system of the future.
The electricity generated by these SMRs is more than the total 2020 generation in any one country except for China, U.S, India, Russia, and Japan. This is more power than Saudi Arabia and Mexico’s electricity generation combined.
Nuclear generates more electricity with less land than other renewable energy sources. To generate the same amount of carbon-free power as 300 SMRs, wind would require over 13 million acres, and solar would require over 2.3 million acres.
This type of production would double U.S. nuclear energy output today, but it is still a conservative estimate. The survey only includes utilities that already have nuclear as a part of their energy generation mix, and utilities with only non-nuclear generation such as Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS) and PacifiCorp have already announced plans to build new nuclear.
An INL analysis utilizing a Global Change Analysis Model predicted an even higher increase of nuclear generating capacity—more than 150%—in order to achieve economy-wide net-zero emissions by mid-century.
And this is only in the United States. Recent IPCC reports project that global nuclear energy capacity will need to double by 2050 to keep the climate temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
And how much will a system like this cost?
Modeling by climate experts consistently demonstrates that the most reliable, affordable low-carbon energy system requires an increase in nuclear generation globally alongside increases in wind, solar and battery storage.
Vibrant Clean Energy (VCE) utilizes one of the most detailed models available to assure that low-carbon solutions align with the reliability that the electricity grid of the future will demand.
In a recent study, VCE found that pairing nuclear with wind and solar is the most cost-effective means to decarbonize electricity generation. This lowest cost scenario projects nuclear energy could provide nearly 43% of all generation in 2050 with wind and solar producing almost 50%. A significant portion of this 300 GW of advanced nuclear capacity that is needed could repurpose hundreds of fossil generation sites. A second scenario where solar and wind generate 77% of all generation in 2050 and the use of nuclear energy declines would result in over $400 billion in higher costs to consumers.
“It’s very, very clear when you add nuclear to the mix, the overall system cost is reduced,” said NEI President and CEO Maria Korsnick on the Grid Talk podcast.
So, what about widespread decarbonization?
IPCC reports clearly state that the world must decarbonize beyond the electricity sector. The transportation and manufacturing sectors alone make up 45% of our greenhouse gas emissions, and advanced reactors can provide the high-temperature heat and carbon-free hydrogen production needed to decarbonize these heavy industrial processes.
A recent study performed by engineering firm Sargent & Lundy found that opportunities for nuclear beyond the grid could dwarf the demand for grid generation with literally thousands of potential applications.
It is undeniable that we need to decarbonize, and nuclear energy is a clear investment in a future free of emissions and pollutants. Not only is it essential to reaching our climate goals, but it is also a part of every affordable clean energy solution—which is why utilities are interested in building more reliable, carbon-free nuclear energy.
.jpg?language=en-US)
