Uncovering the technical potential of coal-to-nuclear (C2N) power generation on a global scale

<h2>Summary</h2> Decarbonization urgently calls for a substantial replacement of coal-fired power with carbon-free energy in the global energy landscape. However, the prevailing substitution of coal with variable renewable energy cannot be implemented universally due to possible higher cost and lack of power system flexibility. What is more, well-trained coal-fired power workers and surrounding communities are facing challenges. Therefore, we emphasize the unique value of coal-to-nuclear (C2N) in the energy transition by investigating 9,470 coal-fired power units globally. We identified that 14.3% (i.e., 371.6 GW) of them can be prioritized for C2N. The currently available nuclear technologies are feasible for C2N in three ways. A competitive levelized cost of electricity of US$71.84– US$101.48/MWh could be a strong driver when compared to coal+carbon capture and storage. Overall, C2N offers multifaceted benefits, and it can be a good supplement to the prevailing solar and wind renewables.

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Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Nexus
Published
2025-07-05
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ynexs.2025.100084
Citations
2
Primary Topic
Graphite, nuclear technology, radiation studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.04

Funders

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article

Uncovering the technical potential of coal-to-nuclear (C2N) power generation on a global scale

Tingwei Weng, Yaoli Zhang, Xiaotong Wu, Łukasz Bartela et al.
2 citations
Nexus
Graphite, nuclear technology, radiation studies
1.04
article

Uncovering the technical potential of coal-to-nuclear (C2N) power generation on a global scale

Tingwei Weng, Yaoli Zhang, Xiaotong Wu, Łukasz Bartela, Rui Jing, Nilay D. Shah, Jeong Ik Lee, Yingru Zhao, Staffan Qvist, Ning Li, Jian Wu
article en
2 citations

Abstract

<h2>Summary</h2> Decarbonization urgently calls for a substantial replacement of coal-fired power with carbon-free energy in the global energy landscape. However, the prevailing substitution of coal with variable renewable energy cannot be implemented universally due to possible higher cost and lack of power system flexibility. What is more, well-trained coal-fired power workers and surrounding communities are facing challenges. Therefore, we emphasize the unique value of coal-to-nuclear (C2N) in the energy transition by investigating 9,470 coal-fired power units globally. We identified that 14.3% (i.e., 371.6 GW) of them can be prioritized for C2N. The currently available nuclear technologies are feasible for C2N in three ways. A competitive levelized cost of electricity of US$71.84– US$101.48/MWh could be a strong driver when compared to coal+carbon capture and storage. Overall, C2N offers multifaceted benefits, and it can be a good supplement to the prevailing solar and wind renewables.

NexusVol. 2(3)
Silesian University of Technology (PL), Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KR), Xiamen University (CN), Institute of Clinical Research (GB), China Power Engineering Consulting Group (China) (CN), Imperial College London (GB), Cardiff University (GB)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province
Openalex Percentile: Top 24%
Graphite, nuclear technology, radiation studies
1.04
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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