NUCLEAR POWER
it is critical to maintain existing carbon- free nuclear power generation as part of the cleaner energy mix. With some 450 nuclear reactors in the world, one of the most eff ective and economical solutions will be to extend operating licenses to support the shift to a zero- carbon economy. According to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the original 40-year term for reactor licenses was based on economic and antitrust considerations, not nuclear technology limitations. Market recognition of nuclear power as an emissions-free generation source is key to extending these licenses and keeping nuclear plants operating. Streamlining regulatory requirements and increasing investment to incorporate new technologies, including digital solutions, will further support eff orts to reach carbon-free energy sector goals. Industry leaders are expected to continue to develop new off erings to help customers service their equipment, as well as improve effi ciency, lower operating costs and extend the lifetime of their plants. GE estimates increasing the thermal power rating and retrofi tting a typical steam turbine and generator can achieve up to 20% or more additional
gross power output. Even simply retrofi tting a typical steam turbine shaft line with no reactor fl ow changes can achieve an additional 2.5 to 4% gross power output and lengthen the time between outages from typically 6-8 years to 12 years.
THE NEXT GENERATION Secondly, building new nuclear plants with best-in-class technology, with a focus on innovating the next generation of nuclear technology and accelerating new large-scale projects. Continued innovation across the industry is expected to deliver world-class technology to reduce construction costs and schedule, as well as ensure operational reliability and safety. Small modular reactors (SMRs) have the potential to drive down investment cost per MW. SMR deployment can be accelerated with government support. Nuclear industry players such as GE, along with industry partners, are developing patented breakthrough reactor technology innovations to reduce cost and complexity. GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH), an alliance created by GE and Hitachi to serve the commercial nuclear power
industry, has developed the BWRX- 300 SMR, which GEH projects can be deployed by as early as 2028. T e Natrium sodium fast reactor, in co-development by TerraPower and GEH, includes thermal energy storage and is well suited to support electricity grids with high levels of renewable generation sources. GE Steam Power also has a range of nuclear steam turbine designs from 50- 400MW that can be modular and factory built to reduce onsite work and costs. For example, the fi rm’s 70+MW class steam turbine can be shipped to site fully assembled as a module. With respect to large- scale projects, while there are plans to phase out nuclear power plants in some countries, GE forecasts about 10GW per year of demand for new nuclear power plants over the coming decade which is in line with the IEA’s Net Zero Emissions by 2050 (NZE) forecast. Beyond 2030, nuclear deployment is only expected to accelerate in an increasingly carbon-constrained world. IEA’s NZE forecasts an average increase of over 20GW per year in net nuclear capacity between 2030 and 2040. With a fl eet of 53GW globally, GE’s Arabelle steam turbine is compatible with
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