Enhancing Multivariate Cost Optimization in Nuclear Regional Grids: Evaluating Control Rod Motion Versus Steam-Bypass Strategies

As the specter of climate change looms ever larger, exacerbated by escalating global temperatures and surging CO<inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</inf> emissions, society grapples with a myriad of adverse consequences, from devastating forest fires to erratic weather patterns. In response, policy imperatives drive corporations towards the pursuit of clean energy alternatives. This study proposes a pioneering approach: the integration of renew ables, battery storage systems (BSS), and nuclear power into regional grids, offering a promising avenue to meet burgeoning clean energy demands. Our research seeks to streamline the economic dynamics underpinning the nuclear component's integration within regional grid frameworks, thereby expediting the transition to cleaner energy sources. A comparison between steam bypass (SB) and control rod motion (CRM) for ramping the nuclear component was completed. Through this process, it was found that CRM needed to be a maximum of 5% cheaper than SB in order to be economically feasible. Additionally, it was discovered that the more components utilized in harnessing available resources for the regional grid, the lower the cost for energy. In Baltimore, MD, moving from a one (1D) to a three-dimensional (3D) regional grid structure lowered the total system cost by 12%. In Brookings, OR, moving from 1D to 3D regional grid structure lowered the total system cost by 15.4%. Ultimately, these findings promise to empower governments and utilities in their concerted efforts towards a sustainable energy future.