Does nuclear work with renewables?
Answer
Nuclear power plants are design to provide stability to any kind of grid. Unlike solar panels and wind turbines, nuclear plants can operate 24/7, rain, hail or shine providing clean power whenever it's needed. Whilst nuclear plants typically operate at full power, it is possible to ramp power up and down by inserting and withdrawing control rods. For example in France the average 2023 nuclear power plant capacity factor (percentage of time operating at full power) was 81.5% compared to 93.1% in the United States where nuclear plants are operated as baseload generators.
Advanced reactor designs are being specifically designed to work alongside renewables. For example, Terrapower's Natrium Reactor has a molten salt energy storage tank which acts as a thermal battery. When power is needed because the sun isn't shining or wind isn't blowing the hot molten salt will pass near water filled tubes to make steam to turn a turbine generating on-demand clean electricity.
Natrium Single Unit Site Diagram (Terrapower)
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