Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the nation’s largest public power energy provider, announced that it is establishing a New Nuclear Program. This initiative explores advanced nuclear options as an essential component of TVA’s decarbonization efforts.
The announcement comes at a time when the United States, as well as public and private sectors worldwide, have made bold, necessary commitments to reduce carbon emissions. This process can be accelerated with always-on, carbon-free nuclear energy, which is why TVA is interested in building new nuclear to complement intermittent renewable generation.
TVA currently operates three nuclear power plants, Browns Ferry, Sequoyah, and Watts Bar, which power more than 4.5 million homes and businesses. Right now, nuclear provides more electricity to the people of Tennessee than any other energy source. This nuclear electricity generation has allowed TVA to reduce the state’s reliance on coal, thereby reducing carbon emissions while continuing to provide reliable, affordable power.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee acknowledged the importance of nuclear in his State of the State speech, delivered in late January. He discussed his recent visit to TVA’s Watts Bar facility, where he witnessed firsthand how nuclear power keeps the grid dependable when the weather is not.
“For decades, East Tennessee has been home to some of the best kept secrets in nuclear energy and American innovation,” he said.
He noted that the state is working directly with TVA to formalize a long-term nuclear strategy because “nuclear power is a clean energy that actually works for the private sector.”
To reach its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, TVA is committed to building out its clean energy generation. In the announcement, the utility said that developing a roadmap for advanced nuclear is a part of its plan to prioritize innovative methods of reducing carbon emissions.
“We cannot meet the energy needs of tomorrow by making small changes in today’s power system,” said Jeff Lyash, TVA president and chief executive officer. “We must work toward a net-zero carbon future today at a programmatic level and, combined with the efforts we’ve already undertaken over the past few years, that is what TVA’s New Nuclear Program enables us to do.”
With the Board’s approval, the program will provide up to $200 million to examine advanced reactor technologies for deployment at the Clinch River Site, which TVA has obtained the first early site permit for, as well as other potential locations.
Designs that are under evaluation for the Clinch River Site include both light water and non-light water reactors. TVA is exploring GE Hitachi’s BWRX-300 light water design that could leverage the existing nuclear supply chain.
TVA acknowledges that any first of its kind technology carries certain obstacles that are best handled through partnerships, which is why they will be collaborating with other entities to optimize solutions and advance new climate technologies.
TVA operates one of the largest, most diverse generating portfolios in the nation. As an industry leader in nuclear energy, TVA is committed to providing not only clean, but also affordable, reliable, and resilient electricity—and to continue to do this, they’re looking to new nuclear.
Photo Credit: Tennesse Valley Authority
