Strategies for charging electric heavy-duty vehicles with small modular reactors
Nuclear power and hydrogen could be ideal fuels for recharging electric trucks, opening up a potential market for small modular reactor (SMR) developers.
According to the University of Michigan study funded by Emerging energy market analysisan initiative of the Idaho National Laboratory (INL).
The analysis addresses key aspects of the transition to low-emission energy, says Steve Ohmyer, Senior Advisor to INL’s Strategic Programs. “It answers the question, How do we really transition the heavy transportation paradigm? With the new deployment framework offered by small reactors, this study shows that they could be a very valuable part of the strategy. ”
The project was driven by the growing demand for electrification of heavy transportation vehicles. Especially in areas with limited transmission interconnections, An T. Pham, postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan, said:
Fam Analyzed 219 fictitious electric vehicle truck stations in the United States using a simulation model. These stations have two energy options. One is distributed energy resources such as solar, battery, and SMR. The other is centralized power, which requires the construction of transmission lines to access the distribution grid. Most of this kind of research usually assumes that the power comes from the grid. It is the first company to consider SMR and other distributed energy resources as competing energy sources.
“By optimizing investments in distributed energy sources, we have developed a model that minimizes the cost of meeting the energy demands of heavy-duty vehicles,” said Pham.
“We answered three questions to better understand the potential of this market for SMRs and microreactors,” added Pham.
- Onsite SMR cost savings
- Change in value when part of a heavy-duty vehicle uses electricity and hydrogen
- Use of microreactors much smaller than SMR
The study concludes:
- There is huge market potential for SMRs and microreactors in EV truck stations across the country.
- SMRs are more cost-effective than other distributed energy resources and can ensure that powering EV trucks does not overwhelm the grid.
- Investments in distributed energy resources could save approximately $2 billion annually nationwide, and more than $100 million annually in individual charging station costs.
- The study applies to both EV trucks and hydrogen-based heavy-duty vehicles as part of a decarbonization approach.
Michael Craig, assistant professor at the University of Michigan and member of the Emerging Energy Markets Analysis Initiative, presented the study at the American Nuclear Society Winter Meeting in November. He said there was a lot of interest, driven by the need to find new markets to deploy his new SMR technology.
Original: Study Shows Benefits of Charging Large Electric Vehicles with Small Modular Reactors
Than: University of Michigan | University of Michigan-Idaho National Laboratory
