Integrated Energy Systems (IES) Safety and (Cyber)-Security -- ANS / Conferences / 2023 ANS Annual Meeting / Technical Sessions

Nuclear power plants exist to make electricity but also produce a lot of heat. What if they could use that heat for other processes that require thermal energy? Today, roughly 40% of all energy is wasted. More efficient energy use would be better for the environment and for the plant owner. A power plant being used for both electricity and heat is called an integrated energy system (IES). IES could couple nuclear, renewable and fossil energy sources. Such systems offer efficiencies that can lead to energy independence, economic competitiveness, job creation and smarter use of resources. Focusing IES development on enhanced utilization of low- or non-emitting energy generation options will help the U.S. to achieve the bold goals that have been established by the Biden administration to achieve a 100% clean energy economy and net-zero emissions by 2050. However, IES have their own safety and security questions to be answered. This panel discussion will touch on some of the aspects, including probabilistic safety and regulatory research for co-located nuclear hydrogen production, which is the priority application in U.S. for IES. The panel will also touch on brother siting considerations for collocated IES as well as discuss cyber-security aspects of co-controlled IES.