Compatibility of renewable energies and nuclear power in the generation portfolio Technical and economical aspects

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1 Compatibility of renewable energies and nuclear power in the generation portfolio Technical and economical aspects Verträglichkeit von erneuerbaren Energien und Kernenergie im Erzeugungsportfolio Technische und ökonomische Aspekte. M. Hundt R. Barth N. Sun S. Wissel A. Voß Institute of Energy Economics and the Rational Use of Energy Universität Stuttgart Executive summary February 2010, Stuttgart 1 / 5

2 Background and aims of research During the last months before the parliamentary elections in Germany, there have been more intense discussions about the future utilisation of nuclear power and about lifting the lifetime limitations of nuclear power plants in particular. There have been assertions that a lifetime extension might impede the additional integration of renewable energies due to supposed inflexible nuclear power plants. Questions: Are there any technical and/or operative restrictions in the case of a lifetime extension, which conflict with an integration of fluctuating electrical generation from renewable energies? What are the economic effects and the implications regarding CO 2 -emissions of a lifetime extension? M. Hundt et al. Compatibility of RES and nuclear power Executive summary February / 5

3 Key findings I Nuclear power plants can take part in load following operation on account of their original technical layout. Based on conservative estimates, German nuclear power plants allow load following operation with a power range of up to 9.6 GW, with power gradients between 3.8 and 5.2 % of rated power output per minute and without any operational restrictions. Analyses of unit commitment for the years 2020 and 2030 with a high share of electricity generation from renewable energies (about 42 % in 2030) show that in any of the scenarios phase-out or lifetime extension, the thermal power plant mix performs the best with regards to flexibility. From a technical perspective, the assertion that the operational flexibility necessary to meet residual load at a high share of electricity generation from renewable energies could not be guaranteed with a lifetime extension of nuclear power plants, is unjustified. M. Hundt et al. Compatibility of RES and nuclear power Executive summary February / 5

4 Key findings II At an increasing share of fluctuating electricity generation from renewable energies and more extreme gradients of the residual load, nuclear power plants will contribute to load following operation. At an even higher share of electricity generation from wind and photovoltaics, as assumed for the year 2030, a control of the fluctuating feed-in or the expansion of storages will be necessary regardless of whether nuclear power plants are still part of the power plant mix or not. From an economic perspective and regarding CO 2 -emissions, a lifetime extension of nuclear power plants would lead to reduced expenses for fuels, lower CO 2 -emissions, less CO 2 -allowances required and thus, far less system operating costs (under the assumptions for this analysis). A phase-out of nuclear power would go hand-in-hand with the need for additional power plant investments and a significantly higher wholesale price level. M. Hundt et al. Compatibility of RES and nuclear power Executive summary February / 5

5 Conclusions The assertion, that a lifetime extension of nuclear power plants would be a stumbling block for the promotion of renewable energies is not valid from a technical and operational perspective. A phase-out of nuclear power would even have a counterproductive effect when considering the objectives within energy policy of a costeffective, competitive and climate-friendly electricity supply. M. Hundt et al. Compatibility of RES and nuclear power Executive summary February / 5

6 Many thanks for your interest! Institute of Energy Economics and the Rational Use of Energy, IER Photo credits: GDF Suez/Electrabel M. Hundt et al. Compatibility of RES and Matthias nuclear Hundt, power Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing. Executive summary February / 5

7 References Hundt, M. et al.: Verträglichkeit von erneuerbaren Energien und Kernenergie im Erzeugungsportfolio : Technische und ökonomische Aspekte. Institut für Energiewirtschaft und Rationelle Energieanwendung (IER), Stuttgart, Study on behalf of E.ON Energie AG. (German) Hundt, M. et al.: Hemmschuh für den Ausbau Erneuerbarer? Auswirkungen einer Laufzeitverlängerung für Kernkraftwerke. In: BWK 61 (2009), Nr. 11, S (German, short english abstract on Hundt, M. et al.: Laufzeitverlängerung der Kernkraftwerke Hemmschuh für den Ausbau erneuerbarer Energien? In: ATW 55 (2010), Nr. 2, S. 78 ff. (German with english abstract) M. Hundt et al. Compatibility of RES and nuclear power Executive summary February / 5A1