Nuclear-Renewable Hybrid Energy System Offers Solution to Imbalance of Energy Supply and Demand

A recent study has proposed a novel energy system that combines nuclear and renewable energy to address the issue of fluctuating energy supply and demand. The nuclear-renewable hybrid energy system (NRHES) couples renewable energy with a small modular thorium molten salt reactor, thermal energy storage, and high-temperature steam electrolysis. According to the research, the system is designed to optimize energy production and minimize waste, with a focus on reducing the levelized cost of energy (LCOE).

Key Takeaways:

• The NRHES system is designed to address the imbalance between energy demand and supply caused by the fluctuation nature of renewable energy.
• The system consists of three operation modes (Mode 1, Mode 2, and Mode 3) with different energy management strategies, including the addition of high-temperature steam electrolysis (HTSE) with a limiting condition.
• The multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) algorithm is used to conduct multi-objective capacity configuration optimization of the NRHES, with a focus on minimizing deficiency of power supply probability (DPSP), energy waste possibility (EWP), and LCOE.
• The results showed that Mode 3, which includes the addition of HTSE with a limiting condition, is the optimal mode, resulting in increased proportions of power supply and hydrogen production of nuclear energy.
• The NRHES system offers a promising solution to the energy supply and demand imbalance, with the potential to reduce waste and lower the LCOE.
• The Chinese Academy of Sciences has conducted a techno-economic assessment of the Smtmsr-based NRHES with HTSE, with the aim of providing valuable reference information for relieving the imbalance of energy supply and demand.

Statistics:

• The study found that the addition of HTSE with a limiting condition could reduce the wasted energy naturally and increase the proportions of power supply and hydrogen production of nuclear energy.
• The NRHES system achieved a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of 0.06 yuan/kWh, which is lower than the current LCOE of coal-fired power plants in China.
• The system's energy efficiency was improved by 10% compared to traditional nuclear power plants.

Sources:

• Techno-economic Assessment of a Smtmsr-based Nuclear-renewable Hybrid Energy System With High-temperature Steam Electrolysis. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 2025;440.
• Chinese Academy of Sciences. Findings from Chinese Academy of Sciences in the Area of Renewable Energy Described (Techno-economic Assessment of a Smtmsr-based Nuclear-renewable Hybrid Energy System With High-temperature Steam Electrolysis). Ecology, Environment & Conservation. August 22, 2025; p 91.