NUCLEAR POWER
all large size reactors and can generate 2% more power output than previous turbine configurations while delivering 99.96% reliability. Today, the world’s most powerful steam turbine is operating at China’s Taishan Nuclear Power Station, generating 1,750MW of power output per unit. Te two Taishan units can generate 3.5GW of carbon-free power generation, enough to prevent 21 million tons of CO2
emissions a year. Te UK’s Hinkley
Point C plant is expected to break this record; the steam turbines for those units are fitted with a 75in last stage blade, generating an additional 20MWs per unit.
REPEATABLE DESIGNS Deploying proven construction techniques will significantly decrease costs. One way is to establish and consistently use global standard, repeatable designs to benefit from volume effects and learning curves. Customers should consider the fleet approach by building multiple identical units, where and when possible. Akkuyu, Turkey’s first nuclear power plant, includes four identical units featuring GE’s Arabelle steam turbine. India’s NPCIL plans to develop a fleet of at least 12 nuclear units built with
its PHWR-700 domestic reactor. Tis approach can help drive down costs and development time in both countries. A range of technologies are needed to meet the Paris Agreement targets and achieve the CO2
reduction
commitments by country. Each country faces a unique set of circumstances and constraints that could be historical, geographical, or political in nature. GE believes policymakers must address highly-emission intensive power systems by urgently requiring action from technologies that can be deployed today. Countries must consider both existing low-carbon and emissions-free technologies and innovative new solutions to ensure a cleaner energy transition around the world. Governments must consider nuclear
power as a dependable emissions-free generation option, while planning for the transition and their future energy systems. To maintain the nuclear power generation option, GE supports policies that: value low-carbon and emissions-free energy sources, such as nuclear power generation, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; embrace the important role of existing (and future) nuclear power plants in the energy
mix to provide reliable base-load electricity; and that fund research, development, and demonstration projects to encourage early adoption of cleaner technologies, such as advanced reactors and SMRs. GE also supports polices that create financing frameworks that facilitate access to capital for new and existing nuclear plants at a cost aligned with the risk profile and lead-time of nuclear projects, as well as ones that educate the public about nuclear power as a dependable and safe emissions-free technology. Te company also sees a strong need
to protect and develop a well-trained workforce to sustain and build the next generation of nuclear power plants and also to ensure the licensing process enables safe operations and does not cause unnecessary cost increases or delays. Finally, GE supports policies that will
promote the commercial application of nuclear power technologies beyond electricity generation, including industrial heat, district heating, water desalination, and electrolysis to produce cleaner hydrogen. Decarbonising the energy sector and attaining net-zero greenhouse gases to combat the threat of a warming planet must become a more urgent worldwide priority, with a focus on significant investments, national commitments and consistent policy and regulatory frameworks. It will require cooperation across national boundaries, sectors of the economy and the political spectrum.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? GE recommends the following steps for the power generation industry. Invest urgently in a combination of nuclear, renewables, energy storage, combined cycle gas turbines with carbon capture, and hydrogen. Next, advocate for policies aligned with the Paris Agreement and its goals to reduce CO2
emissions while
Turbines play a key role in the future of nuclear power
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ensuring safe, affordable, and reliable sources of electricity. Ten increase funding in research, development and deployment to innovate and adopt cleaner energy technologies as well as remote international cooperation and free flow of goods and services aligned with the World Trade Organization. And finally, encourage cross-sectoral cooperation to reduce CO2
emissions, including providing
hydrogen produced from emissions-free energy.
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