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A methodology for calculating the levelized cost of electricity in nuclear power systems with fuel recycling

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  • De Roo, Guillaume
  • Parsons, John E.

Abstract

In this paper we show how the traditional definition of the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) can be extended to alternative nuclear fuel cycles in which elements of the fuel are recycled. In particular, we define the LCOE for a cycle with full actinide recycling in fast reactors in which elements of the fuel are reused an indefinite number of times. To our knowledge, ours is the first LCOE formula for this cycle. Others have approached the task of evaluating this cycle using an 'equilibrium cost' concept that is different from a levelized cost. We also show how the LCOE implies a unique price for the recycled elements. This price reflects the ultimate cost of waste disposal postponed through the recycling, as well as other costs in the cycle. We demonstrate the methodology by estimating the LCOE for three classic nuclear fuel cycles: (i) the traditional Once-Through Cycle, (ii) a Twice-Through Cycle, and (iii) a Fast Reactor Recycle. Given our chosen input parameters, we show that the 'equilibrium cost' is typically larger than the levelized cost, and we explain why.

Suggested Citation

  • De Roo, Guillaume & Parsons, John E., 2011. "A methodology for calculating the levelized cost of electricity in nuclear power systems with fuel recycling," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 33(5), pages 826-839, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eneeco:v:33:y:2011:i:5:p:826-839
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Verbruggen, Aviel, 1983. "Cogeneration -- allocation of joint costs," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 11(2), pages 171-176, June.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Laura Rodriguez-Penalonga & Beatriz Yolanda Moratilla Soria & Paula Ocaña-Pastor & Paula Martín-Cañas & Borja Belda-Sánchez & Natalia Cortes-Sanz & Mathilde Estadieu & José Ignacio Linares-Hurtado & J, 2016. "Spent Nuclear Fuel Management: Levelized Cost of Electricity Generation and Analysis of Various Production Scenarios," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-13, March.
    3. Robin Taylor & William Bodel & Gregg Butler, 2022. "A Review of Environmental and Economic Implications of Closing the Nuclear Fuel Cycle—Part Two: Economic Impacts," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-31, March.
    4. Maria del Carmen Gomez-Rios & Dora Carmen Galvez-Cruz, 2021. "Simulation of Levelized Costs of Electricity Considering Externalities," Remef - Revista Mexicana de Economía y Finanzas Nueva Época REMEF (The Mexican Journal of Economics and Finance), Instituto Mexicano de Ejecutivos de Finanzas, IMEF, vol. 16(4), pages 1-23, Octubre -.
    5. B. Yolanda Moratilla Soria & Rosario Ruiz-Sánchez & Mathilde Estadieu & Borja Belda-Sánchez & Cristina Cordón-Peralta & Paula Martín-Cañas & Laura Rodriguez-Penalonga & M. Del Mar Cledera-Castro & M. , 2015. "Impact of the Taxes on Used Nuclear Fuel on the Fuel Cycle Economics in Spain," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-14, February.
    6. Hong, Sanghyun & Bradshaw, Corey J.A. & Brook, Barry W., 2014. "Nuclear power can reduce emissions and maintain a strong economy: Rating Australia’s optimal future electricity-generation mix by technologies and policies," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 712-725.
    7. Zou, Hongyang & Du, Huibin & Brown, Marilyn A. & Mao, Guozhu, 2017. "Large-scale PV power generation in China: A grid parity and techno-economic analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 256-268.
    8. Laura Rodríguez-Penalonga & B. Yolanda Moratilla Soria, 2017. "A Review of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Strategies and the Spent Nuclear Fuel Management Technologies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-16, August.
    9. Rothwell, Geoffrey & Wood, Thomas W. & Daly, Don & Weimar, Mark R., 2014. "Sustainability of light water reactor fuel cycles," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(S1), pages 16-23.
    10. Tazi, Nacef & Safaei, Fatemeh & Hnaien, Faicel, 2022. "Assessment of the levelized cost of energy using a stochastic model," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(PB).
    11. Christian von Hirschhausen, 2022. "Nuclear Power in the Twenty-first Century (Part II) - The Economic Value of Plutonium," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 2011, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.

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