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Base-Load Nuclear Reactors for Fully Dispatchable Electricity: Nuclear Air-Brayton Combined Cycles, Firebrick Heat Storage, Hydrogen Storage, and Hydrocarbon Biofuels

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  • Charles Forsberg

    (Department of Nuclear Science and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA)

Abstract

Three partly coupled integrated nuclear energy systems are described. These enable base-load nuclear reactors to provide fully dispatchable electricity without greenhouse-gas emissions, thus replacing gas turbines burning natural gas and batteries storing electricity. These hybrid systems link the industrial sector to the electricity sector. Firstly, electricity-to-high-temperature (1800 °C) gigawatt-hour firebrick heat storage converts low-price electricity to high-temperature stored heat to provide dispatchable heat for industry and power generation. Secondly, Nuclear Air-Brayton Combined Cycles (NACC) with thermodynamic topping cycles using high-temperature stored heat or combustible fuel to provide dispatchable electricity. Peak power output can be two to five times the base-load electricity production. The heat-to-electricity efficiency of the thermodynamic topping cycles exceeds 70%. Thirdly, nuclear hydrogen production for industrial markets enables the production of dispatchable electricity where hydrogen is used for energy storage but not to produce heat and electricity. Base-load nuclear reactors send electricity to the grid and/or electrolyzers for hydrogen production depending upon electricity prices. Low-cost hydrogen storage enables us to meet steady-state industrial hydrogen demands, even though hydrogen and grid electricity production is varied. Hydrogen production for industrial uses (ammonia fertilizer, direct reduction of iron ore to iron replacing coke, cellulosic liquid hydrocarbon biofuels replacing crude oil) may exceed 20% of total energy demand and may be a massive source of dispatchable electricity. The biofuels provide storable energy when heat storage is depleted.

Suggested Citation

  • Charles Forsberg, 2025. "Base-Load Nuclear Reactors for Fully Dispatchable Electricity: Nuclear Air-Brayton Combined Cycles, Firebrick Heat Storage, Hydrogen Storage, and Hydrocarbon Biofuels," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-19, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:4:p:821-:d:1587998
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stack, Daniel C. & Curtis, Daniel & Forsberg, Charles, 2019. "Performance of firebrick resistance-heated energy storage for industrial heat applications and round-trip electricity storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 242(C), pages 782-796.
    2. Wibisono, Andhika Feri & Shwageraus, Eugene, 2016. "Thermodynamic performance of Pressurized Water Reactor power conversion cycle combined with fossil-fuel superheater," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 117(P1), pages 190-197.
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