28 January 2022
The Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII), in a report, concluded that a combination of emission-free electricity from Bruce’s nuclear power plant and long-duration storage can help maintain Ontario’s reliability while reducing reliance of gas-fired power plants.
(Image: NII)
According to the report, “Increased levels in energy storage capacity will be crucial a part the electricity grids that the future as it seeks to achieve net-zero.” These technologies work best in systems that have a steady supply clean, baseload electricity. This is the case in Ontario, which has a reliable supply of emission-free nuclear power.
The report – titled Store of Value– found that low-carbon energy sources such as nuclear can be stored to provide reliable, clean electricity on demand. It states that the Clean Energy Frontier in Bruce, Grey, and Huron counties is therefore well placed to create new storage capacity by leveraging investments being made to prolong the life of reactors at Bruce with the flexibility that TC Energy’s proposed pumped storage facility in Meaford would offer.
Chad Richards, director of the Bruce Power Centre to New Nuclear & Net Zero Partnerships at NII, stated that “being able to store and draw upon clean baseload nuclear energy when needed is essential to match variations in electricity demand.”
“Fortunately, there is a lot of made-in Ontario solutions to meet our need for energy storage. Some are even right here in our area.”
The report concluded that a combination of increased levels of energy storage and nuclear would offer electricity system operators an alternative to using gas-fired electricity generation facilities to provide intermittent sources like solar and wind power. This would create an on-demand supply and clean energy.
“Bruce Power’s nuclear output provides Ontario with stable, reliable, and emissions-free baseload electricity,” said James Scongack, Chief Development Officer and Executive vice-president Operational Services.
“NII’s Report makes it clear that combining clean, baseload electricity – such as Bruce Power – and proven energy storage solutions and infrastructure, like pumped and battery technology, offers a once-in a generation opportunity to both address climate change and attract a CAD4Billion ($USD3B) opportunity and thousands to the region.
John Peevers (Co-Chair) of the Clean Energy Frontier program at NII stated, “These findings prove that the path towards a net-zero future for Ontario and Canada runs through Bruce, Grey, and Huron counties.”
“Our communities have a historic chance to benefit from our strategic grid position, our existing base for nuclear generation, a regionalised power supply chain, and storage projects that are currently under development by leveraging our existing strategic position on the Grid.
According to the report, “We have an opportunity here in Ontario to create this value store that will help us face the challenge decarbonisation and increased electricity consumption.”
Researched by World Nuclear News and written by them