Planning and optimization of nuclear-renewable micro hybrid energy systems for off-grid applications

Abstract

Resilient operation of medium/large scale off-grid energy systems is a key challenge for energy crisis solutions, which requires continuous and sustainable energy resources. In this context, microreactors are incorporated with renewables to provide a continuous, reliable, and sustainable energy supply. The research is apportioned into two parts. In the first part, the study proposes three methods of hybridization for planning and identifying the most efficient Nuclear-Renewable Micro Hybrid Energy System (N-R MHES). Based on proposed hybridization techniques, mathematical modeling of N-R MHES's economy is carried out. An artificial intelligence optimization technique is used to achieve the optimal system configurations of different N-R MHESs and determine the best hybridized nuclear-renewable system. In the second portion of the study, a traditional technology, diesel-fired Micro Energy Grid (MEG), is compared with the best configured N-R MHES. This study of the comparison indicates that microreactor-based MEGs could be a potential replacement for diesel-fired MEGs.