Techno-Economic Assessment of Micro Nuclear Reactors for Cogeneration in Port Applications

This thesis investigates the cost-effectiveness of micro nuclear reactors (MNR) in cogeneration applications within port environments. MNRs are a subset of small modular reactors (SMR), typically delivering electrical output in the tens of megawatts. These technologies are designed for scalability, modularity, and flexibility. When meeting specific operational and safety criteria, they are often termed "nuclear batteries" to emphasize their compact, distributed, and potentially off-grid capabilities. As ports undergo increasing electrification, decarbonization requires either major grid infrastructure upgrades or the adoption of distributed generation solutions, such as nuclear batteries. These systems can rapidly follow load variations, making them well-suited for dynamic port environments. This study takes the Westinghouse eVinci as a reference model, which operates with an open-air Brayton cycle for efficient and flexible power generation. The research first models reactor performance under partial loads and varying ambient temperatures, then develops a state-of-the-art mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model to determine the optimal design and operation of the system and assess its economic feasibility. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of this framework in optimizing the sizing and management of energy components within nuclear batteries. The proposed energy system, integrating photovoltaic panels and nuclear batteries, achieves cost savings of up to 33% compared to a purely grid-connected solution with natural gas-fired boilers, while also contributing to decarbonization and alleviating grid congestion in port environments.