Herbert and Martinez report in 2020 that achieving even very deep electric emissions reductions in the region can be accomplished at manageable costs, provided firm capacity is available. However, the costs of achieving 100% GHG [greenhouse gas] reductions exhibit a marked increase when new firm capacity cannot be built in the region.” “CGS is relicensed in all the resource and emissions target scenarios in which it is available. The value of CGS stems from its ability to provide both energy and firm capacity without emitting carbon. The value of CGS ranges from $75 million per year in the 80% GHG reduction scenario to $1.35 billion in the 100% GHG reduction scenario.”
“The role of SMRs in the Northwest's future electricity system depends on their cost, the stringency of regional emissions limits and the availability of gas generators to provide firm capacity.
• Production Tax Credit: When a nuclear PTC is available, SMRs are selected in all emissions reduction scenarios and are built earlier, with the first units coming online in 2040.
• No New Gas: SMRs have their largest build out in cases where gas generators—powered by either natural gas or biomethane—cannot be built. In these cases, the first SMRs are built by 2030, with at least 6.3 GW [gigawatts] of SMRs built by 2045.
• 100% GHG Reduction: At NuScale costs, SMRs reduce the cost of achieving a 100% electric sector GHG reduction by nearly $8 billion per year). That value stems from those resources’ ability to provide firm capacity, thereby avoiding a large overbuild of renewables.”
“If zero-GHG firm resources—including CGS, SMRs and biomethane—are available then the services provided by gas generators can be replaced at reasonable cost.” “CGS is relicensed in all scenarios while zero-emitting firm resources like SMRs are most valuable under very tight emissions reductions regimes. In those cases, zero-emitting firm resources provide important reliability services that reduce the cost of achieving deep emissions reductions relative to scenarios that only rely on renewables and storage. SMRs have their largest role when new gas generators cannot be built or when they are able to receive a nuclear production tax credit. In those cases, SMRs are built in all emissions reduction scenarios.”
Managed & Built by I2M Consulting, LLC | © 2010-
