BUILDING RESILIENT COMMUNITIES: THE ROLE OF HYBRID NUCLEAR ENERGY SYSTEMS IN MODERNIZING THE U.S. ELECTRIC GRID

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25Mar_Frick_Elias.pdf (3.41 MB)
Authors
Frick, Elias
Subjects
small modular nuclear reactors
small modular reactors
SMR
microreactors
hybrid nuclear energy system
HNES
integrated community energy system
ICES
microgrids
tri-structural isotropic
TRISO
Advisors
McGuire, Mollie R.
Date of Issue
2025-03
Date
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Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
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Abstract
The U.S. electric grid is ill-prepared for the challenges of the next two decades, including outdated infrastructure, the need for decarbonization, increases in electricity demand, possible attacks from bad actors, and damage from natural disasters. Thus, it represents an enormous vulnerability for homeland security. This thesis explores the implementation of hybrid nuclear energy systems (HNESs) as the solution to these challenges with specific questions about which feasible technologies and grid architecture would increase resilience the most and what role homeland security leaders should play in their implementation. An analysis of history, economics, international comparisons, and technological advances reveals that HNESs would be most resilient if they were structured as continuously islanded integrated community energy systems (ICESs) in a distributed architecture and powered both by non-light-water small modular nuclear reactors running on tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) fuel and a mix of other distributed energy resources (DERs). Each ICES should be configured with medium voltage power electronics serving as a back-to-back direct-current tie interconnection with adjacent grids. Additionally, each ICES should be optimized utilizing (1) principles of common-pool resources and (2) a digital twin. This thesis further recommends that homeland security leaders educate themselves as modern utility customers to effectively navigate the current utility landscape.
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Thesis
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https://hdl.handle.net/10945/73653
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Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.
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