The Nuclear Beyond Electricity (NBE) strategic element includes activities needed to achieve decarbonization goals and capture new business markets for advanced reactors to participate in, beyond providing baseload power to the electric grid. These markets include producing energy carriers, such as hydrogen and synthetic fuels; providing direct industrial electricity, for example, data centers; and providing process heat for industrial manufacturing or district energy networks, among others.
With increasing engagement in sustainability and emission reduction goals across the world, the potential role of NBE in North America is increasing in importance. Advanced reactors—with some designs providing a smaller required geographic footprint and higher temperature heat when compared to traditional reactors—present an opportunity to provide their reliable, zero-carbon-emitting energy to new, non- traditional markets. Success in this strategic element will enable newly developed advanced reactors to serve a broad range of new market sectors by the early 2030s.
Key Issue: NBE-Related Technology Maturity and Implementation
Some NBE technologies are not yet ready for full-scale deployment and need further research and development for implementation, even if not paired with an advanced reactor. Others will require development for integration with advanced reactors, including development of a marketplace to make the NBE service economically feasible. Additionally, advanced reactor technologies must be developed to provide the service and/or form of energy that is useful for NBE customers and heat end users, respectively.
ACTION:
Priority
Status
Develop and demonstrate NBE applications: Identify and document application-specific technical requirements; develop conceptual system designs for NBE applications, including technoeconomic assessments; and identify the need for, develop, and demonstrate NBE-related technology
Action Owner: Owner/operators, EPRI
Need Date: 2028
Key Issue: Challenges to Deployment Due to Business Models
The traditional business model for the nuclear industry has historically been centered on producing electricity and delivery to the power grid. NBE applications will have multiple business models that will change this approach by deploying advanced reactors for alternative use cases and customers. The economic viability of these new business models is an essential prerequisite to drive the public and private investment needed for wide-scale deployment.
ACTION:
Priority
Status
Develop novel business models for NBE: Develop a range of business model concepts that will document the different owner, operator, and customer relationships to support development of the NBE business models.
Action Owner: EPRI, NEI, CNA, INPO, customers, advanced reactor developers
Need Date: 2025
Key Challenge: Regulatory Challenges for NBE Applications
Several regulatory barriers and risks are specific to the NBE strategic element. In some instances, these issues may be addressed as part of the process for demonstrating separation of the Nuclear Island from the end- user facility. Further discussion on regulatory issues (beyond NBE technical issues) is included in the Regulatory Efficiency strategic element.
ACTION:
Priority
Status
Establish decoupling framework for NBE users: Develop the methodology to demonstrate separation of nuclear facilities.
Action Owner: EPRI, NEI, CNA, advanced reactor developers, owners
Need Date: 2025
Progress to Date on Addressing Key Issue: EPRI issued “Technical Methodology to Demonstrate the Separation of Nuclear Facilities from Adjacent Facilities” (3002026499) to define a technology- and regulator-neutral methodology to demonstrate separation of a nuclear facility from adjacent facilities. A topical report has been submitted to the NRC and is pending prioritization for review. Completion of NRC review and approval is estimated within one year from the commencement of the review. Direct incorporation of the concept by a licensee within an application may accelerate the NRC review.