A draft report prepared by the Brattle Group for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority said that advanced nuclear technologies “could offer attractive possibilities for New York, with its scalability, economic development, low land use, and potential applications of process heat” and may represent an opportunity for additional grid capacity “to support an electrifying economy, that can complement New York’s buildout of renewables.”
At the same time, the report said that advanced nuclear technologies "raise a host of questions that would have to be addressed before planning on it, regarding technological readiness, costs and cost risks, environmental justice, among other factors."
Background
The Draft Blueprint for Consideration of Advanced Nuclear Technologies notes that New York State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act directs the New York Public Service Commission to ensure that the statewide electrical demand system is “zero emissions” by 2040 and directs all state agencies to pursue a carbon-neutral economy by 2050.
The Commission has not adopted a definition of “zero emissions,” but, in the 2016 order through which it established the Zero Emission Credit program, the Commission characterized existing nuclear generation as a zero-emission technology, the report said.
“Nonetheless, studies identify a critical need in the path to a zero emissions grid in New York: controllable clean electricity technologies that can reliably meet the demand for power throughout the year, even when onshore and offshore wind and solar energy are less available,” the report said.
The New York Independent System Operator refers to these technologies as Dispatchable Emissions Free Resources.
The draft report said that New York’s need for DEFRs will increase as demand grows, as fossil-fired dispatchable resources are phased out, and as the 2040 and 2050 deadlines approach.
It noted that a Climate Action Council analysis shows that the state will need approximately 20 GW of dispatchable clean power to complement the wind and solar resources on the system by 2050.2 Similarly, the NYISO forecasts even larger requirements for decarbonized firm resources, identifying needs that extend beyond 25 GW statewide by 2040 and exceed 40 GW in some scenarios.
“Advanced nuclear technologies raise a host of questions that would have to be addressed before planning on it, regarding technological readiness, costs and cost risks, environmental justice, among other factors,” Brattle said in the report.
“Accordingly, this discussion paper examines a number of advanced nuclear technology options from the standpoint of technological readiness and systemic challenges and issues. The objective is to surface the most important opportunities, issues, and questions associated with these options to create a platform for additional analysis and stakeholder input on these options that moves New York forward towards its energy, economic, climate, and equity goals.
The report goes on to say that the emergent state of advanced nuclear technologies gives rise to the need for discussion of several considerations.
“Deciding to pursue deployment of nuclear energy in the State would require further inquiry into each issue, stakeholder engagement, and participation in a coordinated, sustained, national, and industry-wide strategy.”
The topics discussed include, among others:
- Technological Readiness
- Licensing, Safety, and Siting
- Physical Security
- Siting Challenges and Opportunities
- Environmental and Climate Justice
- Costs, Supply Chain Development, and Financing
- Construction and Labor Supply Chain Development
- Project Development and Financing Concepts
- Fuel Supply Chain Development
New York Will Solicit Industry Feedback on Report
At the Future Energy Economy Summit recently held in Syracuse, N.Y., New York Gov. Kathy Hochul called for advanced clean energy technologies to play a key role in supporting renewable energy and economic development.
The Summit outlined next steps needed to plan for growing energy demand that can support the state’s commitment to accelerate progress toward a zero-emission electricity system.
Using insights gained during the Summit, the state will engage the industry to undertake a number of steps including soliciting industry feedback on the draft report and finalize the draft blueprint by the end of this year.
