Nuclear and renewable energy, not "rivals" but "teammates"

Economy: As a mature support power supply, nuclear energy has achieved technical independence, and its cost is controllable and will gradually decrease with the expansion of application scale. Wind, light and other renewable energy sources have also become economically competitive energy varieties. At the same time, the power transmission loss and energy loss in the collaborative intelligent system of nuclear energy and renewable energy are low.

In order to realize the intelligent collaboration between nuclear energy and renewable energy, the flexible operation capability of nuclear power is the basic guarantee. At present, China's three generations of nuclear power generally have a certain flexible operation capability, and the high energy density and adjustability of nuclear power can escort renewable energy online to meet the needs of safe and stable power grid operation.

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- Nuclear and renewable energy collaborative application scenarios -

1. Energy base delivery scenario

By the end of the third quarter of 2020, the total installed capacity of new energy power generation in Qinghai exceeded 57.1%. Due to the inherent randomness, volatility and intermittency characteristics of renewable energy such as wind and light, its large-scale grid connection has an impact on the power grid, coupled with the shortage of peak load capacity of the power grid, resulting in grid absorption difficulties, so the new energy base must consider stable base load power supply when it is connected to the grid. In addition, the long-term oversupply of Qinghai province's power market, in order to solve the problem of large-scale new energy consumption, we must rely on the delivery channel. Therefore, the development model of "clean energy base + delivery channel + matched peak power supply" has become the only way to develop new energy bases.

Qinghai Province plans to build UHV DC channels for its second large-scale new energy base, but due to the inability to solve the problem of power support points, the planning is slow to land. In order to make full use of the best light resources and large areas of desertification land in the country, and promote the construction of comprehensive pilot projects for the nearby consumption of renewable energy in the Qaidam circular economy Pilot Zone, it can be considered to choose a suitable location to build nuclear power units, provide stable support power points for the new energy base, and promote the construction of new energy bases and delivery channels. This application scenario can be extended to regions with abundant renewable energy resources and unbalanced energy supply and demand such as Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang.

2. Comprehensive energy utilization scenario

Shandong Province is an important region of China's coastal economic belt, and the clean, efficient and safe energy system is the solid foundation for its rapid and stable development. By the end of 2020, the installed capacity of new energy and renewable energy in the province has reached 48 million kilowatts, accounting for 30% of the total installed capacity of electricity. At the same time, the planning and construction of nuclear power has been steadily advanced, and the cumulative power generation has exceeded 48.5 billion KWH, and the installed power capacity of nuclear power under construction in the province has reached 5.7 million kW. Shandong Province's geographical conditions and energy endowment have the natural conditions for the development of renewable energy and nuclear energy smart synergy.

While generating electricity, the Haiyang nuclear power Plant that has been built not only meets the clean heating needs of nearly 700,000 square meters of residents around it through nuclear heating, but also participates in the regulation of offshore wind power to make up for the intermittent shortcomings of offshore wind power to a certain extent.

Schematic diagram of the comprehensive utilization system of nuclear energy

For the scenarios in coastal areas, the comprehensive utilization system of nuclear energy can also be promoted, and through the innovation of the thermal system of nuclear power plants, various functions such as power generation, hydrogen production, seawater desalination, heating, cooling, steam supply and energy storage can be integrated and coordinated. The energy released after nuclear fission is initially shown in the form of heat energy, and the direct comprehensive utilization of nuclear heat energy can effectively improve the economy of the energy system. In addition, nuclear energy hydrogen production has no greenhouse gas emissions, high efficiency and many other advantages, nuclear energy desalination can ensure the lack of coastal areas of water safety, nuclear energy heating and cooling can provide clean economic residential heating and industrial heat, cold, to meet the regional economic development and people's needs of various forms of energy use.

3. Isolated network operation scenario

For remote areas such as isolated islands at sea far from the mainland, due to special geographical factors, the power loss from the main grid is large and the cost is high, which requires the construction of off-grid energy supply system according to local conditions.