Towards a Net Zero-Emission Electricity Generation System by Optimizing Renewable Energy Sources and Nuclear Power Plant

Abstract

Greenhouse gas emissions, including CO2 emissions, are an issue in the energy sector that must be addressed urgently. The energy sector, including electricity, has been given a global aim of net zero emissions (NZE). This article examines three scenarios for reaching net-zero emissions in power supply. These scenarios are baseline, NZE1, and NZE2. The baseline scenario represents power plant capacity planning based on existing regulations in the base year. The net zero emissions consisting of the NZE1 and NZE2 scenarios aim to achieve net zero emissions by 2060. The NZE1 and NZE2 scenarios differ in the usage of nuclear power plant technology. The NZE1 scenario employs advanced costs for small modular reactors and large reactors technology, whilst the NZE2 scenario employs the low cost of small modular reactors and large reactors. The three scenarios were implemented and examined using the low emissions analysis platform software. The analytical results demonstrate that the NZE1 and NZE2 scenarios can meet the net zero emission objective by 2058. The baseline scenario results in power plant capacity planning with an average annual CO2 emission growth rate of 3.58%. On the other hand, the baseline scenario has the lowest investment expenses, at only 44 billion USD.

Keywords

• net zero emission
• renewable energy
• nuclear power plant
• optimization