The Spark! Contest 2017-18 Phase 2 – 10 page submission

“The Energy Transition” What is the role of nuclear technology in a world of growing alternative power and digital innovation?

Page 1

A1

Sam Park, Manchester Metropolitan University, 2016, EDF Paul Gavin, Manchester Metropolitan University, 2016, URENCO

INTRODUCTION

Nuclear Power currently provides approximately 20% of electrical generation in the UK; 75% within France; and over 30% of electricity generation worldwide1, however the political and commercial worlds in which Nuclear Power Plants operate are rapidly changing. Increased environmental awareness across the globe, advancements in renewable energy generation, and major technological developments poses the question: “what is the role of nuclear technology in a world of growing alternative power and digital innovation?” This paper presents a vision of the role of nuclear technology in the year 2050 for the UK and France, and defines how nuclear technology can be the reliable, secure backbone of carbon free energy grids of the future.

Local smart grids are widely adopted with homeowners and businesses

acting as “prosumers” – both producing and consuming energy. Initiatives such as demand side management, smart meters, domestic battery

storage and grid2vehicle/ vehicle2grid all contribute towards flattening the load profile of the grid throughout the day. Small Modular Reactor

(SMR) technology deployed regionally provides access to both clean power and decarbonised heat.

The local smart grids are centrally backed by a fleet of nuclear power plants, renewable generation, and energy storage systems. Central

generation provides the reliability and the flexibility required to ensure a safe, secure supply. There is limited remaining fossil fuel based

generation, used only when absolutely required by demand.

THE ROUTE TO 2050:

For vision 2050 to become a reality, some fundamental changes in the way we use energy are required. The Law of Conservation of Energy states: “Energy cannot be created nor destroyed, only transferred from one form to another”2. Therefore, the methods used for transferring energy used for transport, heating and generation of electricity need to be re-thought. Vision 2050 identifies the solutions and enablers that will allow for the successful deployment of Nuclear New Builds, the roll out of SMR technology and the integration of electric vehicles into smart grids of the future that will all allow for the vision to become a reality. The report has three key sections essential to the success of Vision 2050:

www.Nuclear2050.com

Supporting this report is the website www.nuclear2050.com. The website is intended to proactively manage and promote Vision 2050, whilst enhancing the positive image of nuclear technology.

1 World Nuclear Association (2018: online) Accessed 14.03.2018 https://goo.gl/r5TAAw 2 EIA (2018: online) Accessed 14.03.2018 https://goo.gl/1t8qDb

Electrical Energy & Heat Generation

Energy Storage

Energy Consumption

VISION 2050:

The Spark! Contest 2017-18 Phase 2 – 10 page submission

“The Energy Transition” What is the role of nuclear technology in a world of growing alternative power and digital innovation?

Page 2

SECTION 1 Electrical & Heat Generation in 2050 The way in which electrical and heat energy is generated forms a significant part of the energy transition. Generation of electricity will predominantly be via renewable and nuclear sources. Vision 2050 predicts an increase in consumption of electrical power, due to the electrification of transport and the decarbonisation of heat in homes and industry. There is a clear decarbonisation benefit in phasing out the use of fossil fuels for heating buildings and powering modes of transport, however this benefit is only realised if the sources of energy used to generate electricity are low carbon. Vision 2050 recommends the following strategy: 1. Decommission the remaining fossil fuel power stations 2. Introduce new nuclear power stations 3. Increase share of renewable generation 4. Diversify the use of new reactors To enable the delivery of the commitments made to the Paris Agreement3, the way in which we use energy must change. It is 2018 and in the majority of cases, we are still using:

Combustion engines for transport; invented 1850’s4

Coal fired power stations; first used in 18825.

Gas boilers/ovens for heating; first used 1810-18206

A national grid of transmission and distribution for electricity; conceptualised in the 1920’s7

Why? Probably because of an attitude where we “stick to what we know” and “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it”. Or maybe because people resist cultural change and the investment is significant? All other aspects of civilisation have moved on drastically; medical science, education, digital electronics to name a few. In this section, we will discuss how we will begin to re-think the norms in terms of energy usage and electrical power generation as we attempt to combat climate change in a low carbon future.

3 United Nations: Framework Convention on Climate Change (2017:online) Accessed 02.04.2018 http://goo.gl/iCcKUL 4 Encyclopedia,com; Combustion Engine (Unknown: online) Accessed 03.04.2018 https://goo.gl/mQDZsu 5 Guardian.com; British Power Generation Achieves First Ever Coal-Free Day (2017:online) Accessed 02.04.2018 https://goo.gl/ZHCL7A 6 Myutilitygenius.co.uk; History of Domestic Gas (Unknown:online) Accessed 03.04.2018 https://goo.gl/L1Wt2p 7 National Grid; Connecting; A Brief History of Innovation (2014:online) Accessed 07.04.2018 http://goo.gl/FyuWby

1.1: FOSSIL FUELLED TRANSITION TO NEW NUCLEAR Vision 2050 requires a mix of energy sources to achieve close to 100% electricity generation from nuclear and renewable sources by 2050. As both France and the UK progress towards an increase of renewable energy sources, there will be concerns raised on the security of electrical supplies. Security of supply is currently guaranteed by the following:

The UK currently has 14GW8 of coal and 32GW9 of gas power station capacity.

France currently has is 2.9GW of coal, 6.7GW of gas

and 2.3GW of oil power station capacity.

Restrictions upon carbon emissions are mainly enacted by limiting running hours of fossil fuel generation, but the risk of power outages means that the UK’s existing coal sites area regularly called for as part of their Capacity Market agreements. For example, on the 17.03.2018 20% of electrical power in the UK came from coal generation, equating to 183GWh10 Eight sites across the UK are identified as “suitable” for new nuclear power stations by 202511. EDF Energy is leading the way with regard to new nuclear, with the double European Pressure Reactor (EPR) site Hinkley Point C currently under construction. Our vision is that by 2050, new nuclear power stations will have replaced the capacity provided by coal and gas. However, to ensure successful delivery of Vision 2050 a bridging strategy is required. Vision 2050 proposes that a small number of new gas fired power stations with Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) will be required to meet electrical demand whilst new nuclear power stations are built. Therefore, we propose gas generation as the transitional technology to achieve the long-term objectives of Vision 2050.

8 Climate Action; All of the UK’s remaining coal plants will shut down by 2025 (2018:online) Accessed 10.03.2018 https://goo.gl/eQSqHD 9 Energy UK; Gas Generation (2018:online) Accessed 10.03.2018 https://goo.gl/S4e9b7 10 UK Energy App (Elexon) 11 Nuclear AMRC; UK New Build Plans (2018:online) Accessed 02.04.2018 http://goo.gl/coZvhQ

The Spark! Contest 2017-18 Phase 2 – 10 page submission

“The Energy Transition” What is the role of nuclear technology in a world of growing alternative power and digital innovation?

Page 3

1.2: SMR RETROFIT OF COAL PLANT

In November 2017 the UK committed to the closure of all remaining coal-fired power stations by 2025 in order to significantly reduce the carbon intensity of the power sector. The closure of such sites will yield a reduction in the order of 15Mt CO2

12

In January 2018, France committed to the closure of remaining coal-fired power stations by 2021. This is two years earlier than previously expected. The French Prime Minister stated the aim is to “make France a model in the fight against climate change”13.

Vision 2050 proposes the retrofit of applicable coal sites with SMR technology to provide the following: Sustainable Decommissioning Deployment of SMR technology on decommissioned coal sites would utilise existing site assets such as grid connection, transmission systems and heat sinks such as local rivers, lakes or coastal waters. Delivering Growth for the Economy Closing large industrial sites inevitably leads to redundancies and the potential for a depreciation within local and national economies. Our vision is to minimise impact by allowing for opportunities in the subsequent development and operation of new nuclear technology. Existing Industrial Site Adaption Identified SMR sites within the UK and France are on existing Nuclear Licensed sites – Vision 2050 provides an alternative. Placing an SMR on a non-nuclear site is a key challenge in the deployment of new technology. The challenge for the nuclear industry will be ensuring the security of new and used fuel in SMRs on non-nuclear sites, whilst ensuring funding and acceptance of the technology is present throughout its conception and lifetime. Through the utilisation of industrial settings of existing coal power station sites, the promise of job security, and driving towards decarbonisation of electrical energy and heat – we believe the challenges can be overcome. Local Heat Network Potential (District Heating) Vision 2050 sees the use of nuclear technology for both electrical generation and the decarbonisation of heat. Many power stations are located near to industrial areas or large residential with a requirement for heat. Deployment of SMR technology upon these sites provides a sustainable solution to satisfy the local energy requirements of the area.

12 Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy; Implementing the end of unabated coal by 2025 (2018: Page 10) 13 White, J; The Independent (2018:online) Accessed 12.02.2018 https://goo.gl/ZPZgrC

CASE STUDY: FIDDLERS FERRY, ENGLAND

Fiddlers Ferry is a coal-fired power station located next to the River Mersey in Merseyside, England. It has a total generating capacity of 2GW and the current estimations state it is unlikely to generate past 2018. The site currently employs 213 people. Our proposal is for the site to be considered for the design and subsequent installation of an SMR post closure of the power station. The proposal would be the first-of-a-kind collaboration between the Nuclear and Gas Industries within the UK, strengthening partnerships and delivering growth within the energy sector.

SMR TECHNOLOGY: ROLLS ROYCE SMR14

The Rolls-Royce SMR has an electrical capacity of 450MWe15, and occupies a footprint approximately one-tenth the size of a typical Nuclear Power Plant. With a design life of 60 years and an expectation that it will take under five years to construct16 the technology is ideal for deployment on the Fiddlers Ferry site. The SMR has a cogeneration capability that can provide district heating to the local industrial area. “Large industrial gas users exist in several industrial sectors in the local area…with the main use of gas is for heat production.”17 A cogeneration SMR would provide the sustainable solution for the future of the Fiddler Ferry site and the local economy. Emergency Planning Zones and availability of cooling capacity will be a challenge to our strategy of retrofitting the majority of coal-fired power stations with SMR technology. If the risk to the public cannot be reduced to an ALARP level, the site cannot be used as a nuclear facility. To enable our vision, remote coal sites, which are in close proximity to ample cooling water, such as Aberthaw in South Wales, could be the initial sites to be utilised.

14 Rolls-Royce; UK SMR Conceptual Design (2017:Page 3) 15 Rolls-Royce; UK SMR Major Technical Parameters (2017:Page 4) 16 Rolls-Royce; UK SMR: A National Endeavour (2017: Page 20) 17 Cadent; The Liverpool-Manchester Hydrogen Cluster: A Low Cost, Deliverable Project (2017: Page 5)

The Spark! Contest 2017-18 Phase 2 – 10 page submission

“The Energy Transition” What is the role of nuclear technology in a world of growing alternative power and digital innovation?

Page 4

1.3: THE MULTIPURPOSE ENERGY PLANT Vision 2050 states that nuclear reactors are utilised for multiple applications such as the creation of Multipurpose Energy Plants. Generation of electricity will still play a significant role but at the core of The Energy Transition are diverse applications of nuclear energy. Future SMRs and New Nuclear builds will be able provide the following: LOCAL HEATING: Heat produced by the reactor transported via a heat network to local buildings and industry. In the UK, 50% (760TWh) of all energy end usage is to provide heat. Half of this is to heat space and water in homes 18 . Using heat produced from a reactor and transported via a network to the local district will significantly contribute to decarbonisation. The process will also improve the total efficiency of The Multipurpose Energy Plant; ensuring heat generation is not wasted. HYDROGEN: Hydrogen produced from water through the process of electrolysis, powered by electricity and heat generated by the reactor. Hydrogen acts as a storage solution, harnessing energy that later can be employed to drive gas turbines to produce electricity in order to balance the load/demand of the grid. Alternatively, with the use of a network, hydrogen transported into homes and industries to be used as a component in the gas used for heating. Therefore, a proportion of the usually carbon intensive fossil fuel based heat generation, can be decarbonised. ENERGY INTENSIVE INDUSTRY: Deployment of SMRs to industrial locations that require large amounts of heat and electrical energy Whether it be high temperature heat or large electrical power demand, positioning the process close to the reactor significantly reduces losses from energy transfer processes and transmission/distribution. Blast furnace steel production, petroleum refining and paper manufacturing can all be powered from a multipurpose nuclear reactor19.

1.4: SMART GRID DEPLOYMENT Today’s transmission and distribution grid was designed to deliver electricity to the consumer and then charge for consumption monthly. This is a one-way dialogue, which

18 OFGEM; The Decarbonisation of Heat (2018:online) Accessed 29.03.2018 https://goo.gl/mokyD3 19 IAEA: Update on International Technology Development Activity (2016:online) Accessed 02.04.2018 https://goo.gl/yMPkT1

limits the ability for the grid to respond to the changing and rising energy demands of today20. The Smart Grid concept introduces feedback from the consumer, to enable the most efficient use of the energy available at any time. A network of signals and algorithms between Smart Applications, Devices, Energy Storage, localised generators and distribution infrastructure aims to flatten to load profile across the day in the most carbon and energy efficient way possible.

21 Our vision for 2050 is that nuclear power will provide the majority of the base load, centralised, “bulk” generation in the form of large scale power stations, such as EDF Energy’s EPR at Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C. We envisage SMRs supporting the de-centralised “microgrids” as a source of reliable, low carbon energy. This application will compliment and enable the increased use of localised prosumers, which are predominantly from renewable sources and therefore inherently less reliable. The concept of prosumers is fundamental to the Smart Grid and also to the energy transition in general. A prosumer is an individual who both produces and consumes electrical power. For example, the use of domestic PV cells and storage enables a household to be self sufficient during the day whilst storing some energy for the night time and also exporting any excess to its neighbours.

20 SmartGrid.gov; What is the Smart Grid? (Unknown: online) Accessed 05.04.2018 https://goo.gl/u7hL7j 21 [g1] Raconteur; Smart Grid is About to Get a Lot Smarter (2016:online) Accessed 07.04.2018 https://goo.gl/ypWr9p

The Spark! Contest 2017-18 Phase 2 – 10 page submission

“The Energy Transition” What is the role of nuclear technology in a world of growing alternative power and digital innovation?

Page 5

SECTION 2 Energy Storage in 2050

Energy storage schemes are integral to Vision 2050 to ensure greater reliability and security of supply from the smart energy grids of the future. Vision 2050 identifies three important roles for storage:

1. Storage to combat intermittent nature of renewable energy sources;

2. Storage capacity utilised when renewable and carbon free energy exceeds demands;

3. Stored energy providing frequency response due to a less stable grid with less synchronous generation and less inertia.

On the journey to Vision 2050, conventional coal and gas-fired power stations will continue to close, resulting in energy grids loosing inertia and becoming more vulnerable to transients. This closure of conventional power stations combined with an increase in the usage of renewable energy sources, intermittent by nature, provides a greater requirement for energy storage systems. Fast acting energy storage becomes essential for ensuring security of power supplies and supporting the decarbonisation of energy grids across the world. Vision 2050 is clear in its ambition to ensure Nuclear Energy is the base load of both local and centralised energy grids of the future. With a mix of nuclear technology and renewable energy sources that can peak rapidly, there will ultimately be times when production exceeds demand. This excess energy will not be wasted but stored in a suitable form for use when the grid requires. Storage therefore has to be flexible and, like the networks of the future, have to be both local and central to compliment the philosophy of Vision 2050. Vision 2050 predicts a combination of storage technologies deployed to fulfil the requirements of the smart grids of the future. Within this chapter the Vision 2050 mix of storage technologies are introduced and their current readiness level stated.

2.1: Hydrogen TECHNOLOGY READINESS LEVEL: Research and Development Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe and provides an environmentally friendly solution for energy storage allowing for simple transport and storage.

With one of the highest energy density values per mass of around 140MJ/kg22, this technology has the capability of playing a major role in the energy mix of 2050. Hydrogen can power fuel cells for the use of heating and transportation, or can provide the combustion fuel in the place of Natural Gas. Both options offer significant opportunities for 2050:

Emissions from natural gas combustion are the largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the UK23. With the installation of Hydrogen energy networks such as the planned Liverpool to Manchester Hydrogen Cluster, the use of hydrogen can significantly reduce GHG emissions.

An increased market in Hydrogen fuelled vehicles and infrastructure. With only 10 hydrogen-fuelling stations in the UK24 there is significant investment required.

Bordering five countries, France has significant Gas connections that would allow for the export of Hydrogen production across Europe, but only with investment in the gas pipeline infrastructure.

The Energy Transition for Green Growth bill states that in France Nuclear Power has to reduce to 50% for electricity generation by 202525…meaning that EDF has to shut at least 1,65 GW of nuclear capacity when Flamanville 3 starts commercial operation 26 . Our recommendation is that where required and where possible, NPPs are converted to Hydrogen Production – satisfying the Green Growth Bill and prolonging commercial operation of NPPs. This could prevent the early closure of commercial reactors such as the Fessenheim plant due to shut down in 2018.

Vision 2050 sees the Nuclear Industry adopt Hydrogen

production technology into the build of New Nuclear Power Plants; which is also a vision shared by the IAEA “In expectation of significantly increased demand for hydrogen in the future, mass production of hydrogen is a major goal for Generation IV systems.” 27

22 Gupta, R. B., Hydrogen Fuel: Production, Transport, and Storage (2008: Page 10) 23 Cadent, The Liverpool-Manchester Hydrogen Cluster: A Low Cost, Deliverable Project; Technical Report by Progressive Energy Ltd (2017: Page 1) 24 TUV, Hydrogen Refuelling Stations Worldwide (2018:online) Accessed: 17.03.2018 https://goo.gl/mos5xn 25 Le Gouvernement Francais (2018: online) Accessed 14.03.2018 https://goo.gl/Wc9NRC 26 World Nuclear Organisation (2018: online) Accessed 17.03.2018 https://goo.gl/9Pffy6 27 IAEA, Hydrogen Production Using Nuclear Energy, IAEA Nuclear Energy Series NP-T-4.2 (2013: Page 142)

The Spark! Contest 2017-18 Phase 2 – 10 page submission

“The Energy Transition” What is the role of nuclear technology in a world of growing alternative power and digital innovation?

Page 6

2.2: The domestic reuse of Electric Vehicle Batteries TECHNOLOGY READINESS LEVEL: Demonstration and deployment Developed nations have to ensure that there are both suitable routes and environmental policies for used EV batteries that will provide an affordable and effective re-use of this technology. One option is the redeployment of EV battery technology within homes to provide local storage capabilities to consumers. If the battery is also combined with an intelligent control system it will have the capability of regulating energy consumption from the grid – reducing peaks in energy consumption and providing governance on reducing the cost of domestic energy bills.

2.3: Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) TECHNOLOGY READINESS LEVEL: Demonstration and deployment Through the utilisation of depleted gas reservoirs, natural caverns or exploited mines, compressed air can be stored in large volumes to provide a suitable reserve of energy for when required by the electrical grid. CAES plants have the capacity to flatten the load profile of the grid and they allow for the storage of excess generation from a strong base load of nuclear power and a high percentage of renewable energy sources:

28

28 PG&E (2018:online) Accessed 13.04.2018 http://goo.gl/ykZZnC

2.4: Solid State – Battery Storage TECHNOLOGY READINESS LEVEL: Research and Development By 2050 the solid-state battery will replace the current lithium-ion technology and be used widely within the energy market. Companies such as Tesla29 and Dyson30 are currently investing in the development of solid-state batteries, whereby a polymer is used instead of liquid electrolyte. This has three key advantages over the current lithium-ion technology31:

Increased safety performance, as liquid electrolyte is highly flammable.

Increased energy density. Faster charge rate.

The challenge to enabling the technology for wide spread use at present is to increase the lifetime of the polymer electrolyte to an acceptable length3233. Solid-state battery technology is not yet commercially viable for this reason.

ELEMENT 2.5: Flywheel TECHNOLOGY READINESS LEVEL: Demonstration and deployment A flywheel is a rotating mechanical device used to store rotational energy that can be utilised by a Smart Grid instantaneously, such as Stornetic’s design of flywheel below. A flywheel contains a spinning mass in its centre driven by a motor. When energy is required, the rotational force of the spinning mass generates electricity, which slows the rate of rotation, to recharge the flywheel the motor is simply used to increase its rotational speed once again.

29 Futurism; Battery Charges in 1 Minute (Online:2018) Accessed 13.04.2018 https://goo.gl/7PXx66 30 Autocar; Dyson electric car project to recruit 300 new engineers (Online: 2018) Accessed 13.04.2018 https://goo.gl/QP5d3R 31 Ilika stereax, (Online: 2018) Accessed 15.04.2018 https://goo.gl/MDEFo7 32Imperial College London, Solid State Lithium-ion Batteries (Online: 2018) Accessed 13.04.2018 https://goo.gl/z4xLbj 33 Journal of Electrochemical Society; Review—Practical Challenges Hindering the Development of Solid State Batteries (Online: 2018) Accessed 13.04.2018 https://goo.gl/WfFXU8

The Spark! Contest 2017-18 Phase 2 – 10 page submission

“The Energy Transition” What is the role of nuclear technology in a world of growing alternative power and digital innovation?

Page 7

2.6: Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles can act as a catalyst for the energy transition to enable vision 2050 to become a reality. With the average car only in use for 4% of the time34, electric vehicles have the potential to act as storage solutions both for individuals at home and for local smart grids. Vision 2050 relies on the successful integration of Electric Vehicles onto the Grid, without this, the technology could place further strain the electrical network. Vision 2050 predicts a potential scenario for the impact of electric vehicles, and proposes the solution to this below:

PREDICTED SCENARIO: With little investment into infrastructure, the deployment of electric vehicle technology could lead to discrepancy between renewable generation and energy consumption throughout the day. In particular, the peak of solar generation in the middle of the day will not be harnessed to provide carbon free transport. Simply adding Electric Vehicles, without changing the way we consume will worsen the effects of consumption peaks, as placing vehicles on charge upon returning home will increase the peak demand:

SOLUTION FOR VISION 2050: Vision 2050 utilises Electric Vehicles to flatten the demand upon the grid by charging vehicles during the troughs of energy demand, both through the night and at the peak of Solar Power Generation. Electric Vehicles are utilised to supply homes during the midday and evening peaks therefore performing a combination of Peak Shaving and Load Flattening. The technology allows for the provision of a bigger based load, allowing Nuclear Power to provide the security for this:

34 The RAC Foundation, [online: accessed 13/04/2018] http://goo.gl/6QdCpJ

CASE STUDY: MANCHESTER MULTISTORY CAR PARK STORAGE PLANT The Arndale centre, a shopping complex in North West England, has the largest car park in Manchester and has the potential to become a 7.8MW energy storage plant. The case study presented shows the potential for harnessing the power of electric vehicles to provide substantial storage capacity: Calculations: Arndale Centre Total spaces: 138335 Nissan Leaf battery: 40kwh Charging capacity of Leaf (current) 6kW Discharge capacity of Leaf: 6kW

Potential capacity of Arndale Centre: (1300 parked cars x 6 kw)

7.8MW Storage

With the potential for similar deployment of technology across the UK and France, the question raised is “who needs to build battery storage systems now?” In Sheffield (UK) there is a 10MW battery now online36, however Vision 2050 believes that with the correct infrastructure and management Electric Vehicles can provide a suitable, cost-effective alternative to this.

10MW battery, Sheffield (UK):

For Vision 2050 to see this realisation, substantial investment and adoption of the technology is required:

Manchester Arndale Centre has 1383 spaces, but 0 for Electric Vehicles

1st commercial V2G power plant came online in 2017… with only 10 vehicles37!

Electric vehicles represent just 1.9% of the new car market in the UK38

35 NCP, Manchester Arndale [online: accessed on 13/01/2018] https://goo.gl/A65noE 36 The Guardian, Mega-battery plant to come online in Sheffield [online: accessed on 13/01/2018] https://goo.gl/Ud6kek 37 Nissan, World’s first fully commercial vehicle-to-grid hub in Denmark [online: accessed on 13/01/2018] https://goo.gl/z7ZaVQ

The Spark! Contest 2017-18 Phase 2 – 10 page submission

“The Energy Transition” What is the role of nuclear technology in a world of growing alternative power and digital innovation?

Page 8

SECTION 3 Energy Consumption

Vision 2050 sees technological developments that will increase electrical energy consumption. Alongside this, the vision discusses digital innovation that will combat increased usage through smart technology.

3.1: Combustion Engine Ban Increase in Electrical Generation & Consumption Both the UK 39 and France 40 have recently made bold, historical decisions in the energy transition journey by restricting the sale of all new combustion engines by the year 2040. This will allow for the market of electric vehicles to increase. Earlier in the report it was demonstrated how Electric vehicles can provide a sustainable and portable storage system, but to meet the requirements of the technology, we must increase electrical generation. Nuclear power can provide sustainability and reliability for this requirement.

38 Next Green Car, Electric car market statistics (2018: online) Accessed on 13.01.2018 https://goo.gl/XG1Uit 39 GOV UK (2017:online) Accessed on 13.01.2018 https://goo.gl/zgmmG7 40 The Telegraph (2017:online) Accessed on 13.01.2018 https://goo.gl/BbnRPA

3.3: Decarbonisation of Heat Increase in Electrical Generation & Consumption Within the UK, domestic heating generates around 20% of the nation’s carbon emissions41. Therefore, an important step in fulfilling requirements of the Paris agreement is utilising new methodologies for the provision of heat. Vision 2050 sees two options:

Option 1: Individuals changing heating behaviours

Heat can be decarbonise by using electricity, provided by renewable and low carbon sources, however with the current low price of gas compared to electricity this prevents

the majority of individuals currently changing technologies. In the average UK home, the average cost for central heating using gas is £550, using electric storage heaters would be around £900!42 Due to this, Vision 2050 believes that the following options will be of utmost importance in the future of heating homes:

Improved energy efficiency of heating, and overall energy efficiency of homes.

Adaptation of natural gas networks through blending in lower carbon gas, such as Hydrogen discussed in earlier sections of the report.

Electrification of heating through heat pumps or other emerging technology that can provide a competitive alternative to gas heating.

Option 2: Local areas schemes using heat networks

(District Heating)

District heating technology can assist in the decarbonisation of heat in the local community or industry, enabling the use of clean sources of energy. A

sustainable source of district heating in Vision 2050 is utilising nuclear technology, and an SMR capable of this function is the U-Battery. The U-Battery produces 10MWt delivered in a Cogeneration configuration with up to 4MWe

electricity and 750˚ process heat43. This technology is ideal

for decentralised generation, providing both electrical energy and heat distribution for decentralised grids. Vision 2050 relies upon the successful implementation of both options above.

41 Douglas, J; Decarbonising Heat for UK homes (2017:online) Accessed 13.04.2018 https://goo.gl/QkGg7V 42 OVO Energy, Heating costs: gas vs oil vs electric storage heaters (2018: online) Accessed 13.04.2018 https://goo.gl/MAkbVJ 43 U-Battery, www.u-battery.com

The Spark! Contest 2017-18 Phase 2 – 10 page submission

“The Energy Transition” What is the role of nuclear technology in a world of growing alternative power and digital innovation?

Page 9

3.3: Smart Meters Adoption of technology can decrease consumption of individuals & industries Vision 2050 relies upon customers having more awareness and control of their energy consumption and energy generation. Smart meters are a simple and proven technology that allow customers to do this providing opportunity for the subsequent reduction in energy usage. One example of the success of smart meters is Italy:

Rolled out 36 million smart meters, covering 90% of all households between 2001-200844

Single Technology deployment, ensuring compatibility.

Return on investment in just 4 years45

Second-generation rollout now underway... enabling development of the home automation market, such as V2G/G2V deployment & an increase awareness of consumption behaviour46

In comparison to this, the current roll out of Smart Meters in the UK has not had the success of the Italian approach and the reasons for this are as follows:

Within the UK, suppliers continue to install Smart Meters that are not compatible with competitors, meaning smart meters are often removed when customers swap suppliers.

Due to a lack of clear advice, a lot of people fail to see the benefits of having a smart meter installed47

The implementation has favoured the short-term

economic decision-making of utilities, as opposed to the informed long-term policy of the UK government.

As such, with any enabler in the energy transition journey, such as smart meters, governments have to provide clear instructions to the energy sector. Implementation must be simple and effective, and we must learn from the mistakes of the UK in which the utility competition restricted the achievement of the vision of the government. The French are learning from the Italian model with the roll out of a single design of smart meter, the Linky. The rollout will enable 95% digital meter deployment by 2020.

44 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Product Factsheet (2017:online) Accessed 13.04.2018 http://goo.gl/hVgNsV 45 Scott, M; How Italy Beat the World to a Smarter Grid (2009: online) Accessed 13.04.2018 http://goo.gl/5EwyUP 46 Energati, Italy’s smart meter rollout gets financial boost (2017:online) Accessed 13.04.2018 https://goo.gl/B5StrM 47 The Greenage, Problems with the UK smart meter roll out, (2017:online) Accessed 13.04.2018 https://goo.gl/ytU1ne

3.3: Energy Efficiency Decrease in consumption of individuals & industries Improving energy efficiency of all aspects of energy usage is a necessary component in Vision 2050, allowing for the provision of a secure supply backed by Nuclear and renewable generation. Actions needed to support vision 2050:

1. Expansion of the adoption of energy efficient technologies from individual households to large industrial corporations;

2. Commitment in ongoing Research and Development in energy efficiency;

3. Governmental policy that supports development, demonstration and deployment of new technologies and innovation;

4. Successful collaboration between industries, universities and government.

CASE STUDY: SMART METERS & ENERGY EFFICIENCY

With smart meters, customers can instantly see the effects of becoming more energy efficient, be that in the heating of homes, or the running costs of white goods. As such, smart meters will allow nations to become more energy efficient through self-awareness and consciousness over energy consumption. Vision 2050 believes that integrating live generating statistics, such as the carbon intensity of electrical generation onto smart meters would provide consumers further understanding. This understanding could then support a further increase efficiency, especially during peaks when fossil fuels are utilised. The website that supports this report has links to national and international generation of electricity to allow consumers to see just how clean energy that they are consuming is.

The Spark! Contest 2017-18 Phase 2 – 10 page submission

“The Energy Transition” What is the role of nuclear technology in a world of growing alternative power and digital innovation?

Page 10

Conclusion

Vision 2050 has presented the future role of nuclear within the UK and France, and has defined how nuclear technology can be the reliable, secure backbone of carbon free energy grids. The vision is a realisation of the energy transition with solutions that reduce carbon emissions to combat climate change and its impacts. In 2050, nuclear technology, renewable energy sources and digital innovation can work in unison to provide for the smart use and management of an increasing percentage of clean energy. For aspects of Vision 2050 to become practical, the nuclear Industry must be innovative and agile to maintain a strong position in the new energy landscape. The industry itself must not work in isolation but in collaboration with the whole energy sector, allowing for adoption of new Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) on Nuclear Licensed Sites and SMR application in decentralised locations. With successful deployment of SMRs and NPPs, nuclear power can provide a high density, low carbon and reliable source of energy. Nuclear energy can be utilised for electrical generation, decarbonisation of heat and hydrogen production for energy storage. The reliability and security of nuclear power will directly compliment and enable the increase in renewable generation. The key challenges that the nuclear industry has to overcome are as follows: Infrastructure: The capability and suitability of infrastructure is essential for Vision 2050 to become reality, be that district heating infrastructure, electrical grid infrastructure or the communications infrastructure for smart technologies. All of this would require substantial financial investment and successful collaboration between governments, utilities and industry. Investment: The expected cost of Hinkley Point C is £19.6billion, including a 30% investment from China48. Guaranteeing a strike price of £92.5/MWh, or £89.5/MWh if a further plant is built at Sizewell, was a key enabler in the final investment decision49. The same will apply for any further nuclear new build projects and it is clear that substantial investment will be required. Policy: Collaborative, coherent and an informed long-term energy policy is a vital enabler for Vision 2050. This is an essential counterpart to the relatively short-term decision-making of utility companies.

48 WNN; Cost of HPC Rises by 8%, EDF says (2017:online) Accessed 02.04.2018 http://goo.gl/euZnJN 49 WNN; Hinkley Point C Contract Terms (2014:online) Accessed 02.04.2018 http://goo.gl/6NzHcG

Public Perception: We recognise worldwide perception of nuclear energy as one of the largest challenges facing the industry throughout the energy transition. Existing perception is generally negative and a quick Google image search provides results that show the historical damaging effects of nuclear such as atomic weapons testing. Unfortunately, they do not show the benefits of nuclear energy:

We believe that further publicising the long-term advantages of nuclear energy will positively influence perception. Demonstrating the capability of nuclear power through education and interactive platforms will help portray our message and contribute to the success of nuclear energy. To support this report we have created www.nuclear2050.com; our way of making a positive impact on perception of nuclear energy.