Affordability a factor in site selection for Next Generation Nuclear

NEBRASKA CITY – Since Next Generation Nuclear began its tour of 16 community finalists for small modular nuclear power generation in Auburn this June, community engagement has been good and protests scarce.

Nuclear power is trending upward in the United States based on federal policy and designs of microreactors that are being demonstrated now.

Energy experts greeting the public at the Veterans Memorial Building in Nebraska City Wednesday say Nebraskans are interested in nuclear power and generally see the advantages of a potential site in terms of high-paying jobs, energy security and economic growth.

 

When phase 2 launched, the top four scoring communities were Beatrice, Hallam, Sutherland and Hastings. The study is looking at factors such as existing transmission infrastructure and a clean water supply, but also the cost of building and the available workforce.

Brownville and Nebraska City scored high in electric transmission primarily because existing power plants already have transmission infrastructure in place. While Brownville and Plattsmouth score among the  highest for a clean water supply, Nebraska City is ranked in a tie with 12 other communities for the lowest score.

Dan Buman of NPPD said nuclear energy is necessary for Nebraska.

Buman: “We have been able to work in a state and work in the confines where we see four objectives we must meet with any energy source. We look at an all-of-the-above approach for a diverse energy portfolio. We want to make sure it’s affordable. We want to make sure it is reliable. We want to make sure that it is resilient, you know, able to operate through extreme events, and we want to make sure it’s sustainable.

All four of those come together. There is not one source that answers all four of those but, when you combine that together in an existing energy portfolio, you’re able to get reliable, very affordable, resilient and sustainable energy. That’s what nuclear brings to the state.”

He said location of small module nuclear plays a role in affordability.

 

Buman: “We’re looking at injection studies into the transmission grid, so we can estimate. Do I have to spend a lot of additional dollars for transmission lines? Well that’s going to add up the costs. We’re doing water studies looking at, do I have a large source of water, to be able to cool more efficiently and reduce some of the costs that you would have.

Buman: “Part of this as we’re going forward is looking at the ability … there is nothing that we have found that says you couldn’t build a site at any of the 16. Some of them are going to be more difficult than others. They are going to be more expensive than others. What we’re trying to do is find the best spot that will minimize the costs and achieve our reliability goals.”

While coal remains the cheapest way to generate electricity in Nebraska, the U.S. Energy Information Administration says coal is quickly losing its rank among the lowest-cost ways to generate commercial electricity. The cost of new plants is driven up by regulations to a point where it is now considered the most expensive option for new plants.

Small modular nuclear is also expensive to establish, but costs are considered lower than a new large-scale nuclear plant.