Thermal Energy Delivery System Design Basis Report

Nuclear power plants operate most efficiently and economically when they are operating at some constant power output. However, with the current dynamics of the grid, including the introduction and growth of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, nuclear generation facilities across the U.S. are finding it difficult to keep their power supply constant and provide for baseload generation capacities. As a result, most nuclear plants are finding it hard to compete with other generation fuel sources, most notably, natural gas. Finding a solution to this intermittent power supply dynamic could help U.S. nuclear power plants economically compete with other generation fuel sources such as natural gas, wind, and solar. The Thermal Energy Delivery System (TEDS) at the INL aims to investigate alternative solutions to this dilemma. The TEDS design focuses on the delivery of thermal energy to different systems throughout the Dynamic Energy Transport and Integration laboratory (DETAIL). Its strategy revolves around allowing the system to operate at full generation output while storing any surplus energy for later use and/or additional function.