50th Intl. Nathiagali Summer College

Activity II: Nuclear-Renewable Integrated Energy Systems
(16th - 19th June, 2025)

Nuclear-Renewable Integrated Energy Systems (N-R IES) represent a transformative approach to decarbonizing energy sectors and enabling resilient, flexible energy grids. Nuclear energy and renewables are the two principal options for low-carbon energy generation. While these resources individually contribute significantly to sustainable energy, synergies between them have yet to be fully realized. N-R IES explore these synergies by coupling nuclear power—particularly from advanced reactors and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)—with renewable energy sources such as wind and solar to provide reliable, sustainable, and low-carbon energy solutions.

A key feature of N-R IES is their ability to provide both electricity and non-electric applications such as heat for industrial processes, hydrogen production, and desalination. Advanced nuclear reactors and SMRs are particularly suited for these applications due to their high thermal output, operational flexibility, and modularity. These systems can complement variable renewable energy sources by acting as a baseload provider or quickly ramping up output to meet fluctuations in demand.

These systems address the energy demands of power grids but also provides low-carbon energy to other sectors, including industrial and residential applications. However, further technology advancements and regulatory developments are necessary to bridge implementation gaps and fully realize their potential.

  • Role of Advanced Nuclear Reactors:
    • High-temperature reactors for industrial process heat
    • Microreactors for decentralized energy solutions
  • Small Modular Reactors (SMRs):
    • Enhanced modularity for rapid deployment
    • Grid resilience through flexible power generation
    • Co-generation of electricity and thermal energy for hydrogen production or district heating
  • Hybrid Energy Systems:
    • Coupling nuclear and renewables for optimal energy output
    • Advanced control systems for load-following and peak shaving
    • Integration with energy storage technologies (batteries, thermal storage)
  • Hydrogen Production and Energy Storage:
    • Nuclear-powered high-temperature electrolysis for clean hydrogen
    • Synergy with renewable excess energy for hydrogen storage
  • Decarbonization of Industrial Processes:
    • Desalination using nuclear heat and renewable electricity
    • Supporting clean manufacturing processes through low-carbon energy
  • Economic and Environmental Benefits:
    • Cost optimization through energy diversification
    • Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and enhancement of energy security


Faculty:

Name
Lectures
Frederik Reitsma
Section Head
Nuclear Power Technology Development, International Atomic Energy Agency		 Lecture 1: Progress in IAEA Member States on Nuclear Power Technology Development – prospects and challenges
Lecture 2: Advances in Modular High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor and Microreactors Technology Development and their Applications
Lecture 3: Status of Molten Salt Reactor Technology – based on Technical Report Series no. 489 (2023)
Lecture 4: IAEA Programmatic Activities to assist Member States in Nuclear Power Technology Development and their Non-Electric Applications
Lecture 5: The Roles of Nuclear Power for Climate Change Mitigation
Mochammad Hadid Subki
Technical Lead
SMR Technology Development Nuclear Power Technology Development Section Division of Nuclear Power, IAEA Department of Nuclear Energy		 Lecture 1: Advances in Research and Development for Small Modular Reactors
Lecture 2: Modularity and Design Simplification Approaches in Integral PWR-type SMRs
Lecture 3: Overview of Reactor Technology Assessment Methodology based on NE Series Report, NR-T-1.10 (Rev. 1, 2021)
Lecture 4: Outcome of the completed Coordinated Research Projects (CRPs) a. CRPI32010: Design and Performance Assessment of Passive Engineered Safety Features in Water Cooled Small Modular Reactors – Case Study b. CRPI31029: Technical Basis for the Emergency Planning Zone in SMR Deployment
Lecture 5: Nuclear–Renewable Hybrid Energy Systems”, based on the IAEA Nuclear Energy Series No. NR-T-1.24
Lecture 6: IAEA: Nuclear-Wind Hybrid Energy System Part–Task Simulator and Nuclear Concentrated Solar Power Hybrid Energy System Part-Task Simulator
Marco Enrico Ricotti
Professor of Nuclear Power Plants at Politecnico di Milano, Department of Energy, Italy		 Lecture 1: Various European initiatives to support R&D and innovations of SMRs including Microreactors
Lecture 2: Design, Safety Fundamentals, Experiments and Testing for the integral-PWR type SMRs
Lecture 3: The economics, cost and deployment competitiveness of SMRs against Alternative sources, e.g., renewables
Mohamed Saad Mohamed Elashkar
Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Nuclear Research Center, Atomic Reactors Division, Egypt
Xiang Wang (online)
Associate Professor College of Nuclear Science and Technology Harbin Engineering University, China		 Lecture 1: Multi-Physics Aspects of Possible Nuclear–Renewable Integration
Lecture 2: Innovative Small Modular Reactors and Associated Non-Electric Applications in an Integrated Nuclear–Renewable Energy System
Fu Li (online)
Institute of Nuclear and New Energy Technology (INET) of Tsinghua University, China

HTGR features and the possibility for co-generation and issues related to the integration of nuclear with renewable energy
Zhe Dong (online)
Division of Instrumentation & Control System, Institute of Nuclear and New Energy Technology (INET) Tsinghua University, China

Load-following and AI techniques supporting Nuclear-Renewable Integration, which consists of two parts:

Lecture 1: Load Following Control Supporting Nuclear and Renewable Integration
Lecture 1: R&D Status of Artificial intelligence in NPP Operation and Control

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