Integrated site screening methodology for advanced nuclear reactors collocated with industrial customers

As the United States aims to quadruple its nuclear power capacity (i.e., 400 GW) by 2050 in response to increasing energy demands, effective site selection for advanced nuclear power plants (ANPPs) has become paramount. This study presents a novel integrated site screening methodology specifically designed for ANPPs collocated with industrial customers in Louisiana, a region characterized by substantial energy consumption. Our approach synthesizes various models and data sources, addressing the limitations of existing siting guidelines from the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). By categorizing siting criteria into "Must" and "Want" categories, we employed the Siting Tool for Advanced Nuclear Development (STAND) to enhance site screening processes. The results demonstrate that while certain EPRI criteria can be refined or excluded, essential factors were effectively integrated to identify viable sites suitable for diverse reactor types, including advanced light-water reactors, high-temperature gas-cooled reactors, and sodium-cooled fast reactors. This methodology not only streamlines the decision-making process for site selection but also provides a robust framework adaptable for nationwide and potentially international applications. The implications of our findings extend beyond the immediate case studies, offering insights into optimizing the siting process for future nuclear developments and ensuring the safe and efficient integration of ANPPs within industrial energy systems. • Develop integrated siting methodology using features from publicly available tools. • Review and categorize EPRI guidelines to leverage siting criteria comprehensively. • Demonstrate siting methodology on Louisiana case studies with large energy demands. • Use site-specific analysis like air dispersion models in the site selection process. • Select and rank advanced nuclear reactor sites for various reactor types.