HIBAPRESS-RABAT-IAEA
To reduce emissions from the energy sector, it is essential to make use of all low-carbon energy sources. If intermittent renewable energy systems are seeing their share in electricity networks grow to ensure a continuous supply of low-carbon energy, nuclear power plants are being called upon to fill the gaps in solar and wind energy. in hybrid energy systems.
Nuclear energy is dispatchable energy, capable of adapting to changes in demand and reliably producing enormous quantities of low-carbon electricity 24 hours a day. This stability is why it is typically used as a base load, as it operates continuously and experiences little, if any, variation in production. Coupled with renewable energies, nuclear energy also contributes to the stability of electricity networks by supporting the intermittent production of renewable sources. For example, some nuclear power plants in the United States of America regularly adjust their capacity by around 10-15% to account for typical variations in electricity demand and intermittent input from renewable sources.
“Hybrid energy systems combining nuclear and renewable energy offer powerful synergy, combining the reliability and baseload of nuclear power with intermittent renewable energy sources. This integrated approach is the key to ensuring a resilient, low-carbon energy system in the future, capable of meeting growing demand while mitigating climate change,” explains Tatjana Jevremovic, IAEA team leader for the development of water reactor technology.
To decarbonize each hour of energy consumption, it will be necessary to mobilize all technologies that do not emit carbon. Not all potential synergies between these energy resources are yet to be fully realized, and experts are exploring the strategic benefits of directly integrating these parallel systems. Hybrid energy systems seek to couple nuclear and renewable energies by taking advantage of their respective advantages. The aim is to supply electricity to the grid in a reliable and sustainable manner, while providing low-carbon energy to different energy-consuming sectors.
