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Including Nuclear Energy for Maryland’s Clean Energy Future

Including Nuclear Energy for Maryland’s Clean Energy Future

  • Alexander Liu, University of Maryland, College Park
  • Michael Hou, Johns Creek High School, Johns Creek, Georgia
  • Sophie Zhang, Centennial High School, Howard County Public School System, Maryland
  • Cheng Guo, West Virginia University
  • Chao Wu, Ph.D., Mayland House of Delegates, District 9A

Contact: chao.wu@house.state.md.us

Immediate attention, and long-range nuclear energy planning is critical to achieve Maryland’s current competitive nuclear energy position, commercial growth, and future low cost energy, as well as success in reducing global carbon emission goals. The global warming goals include reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030, reaching 100% carbon pollution-free electricity by 2035, and achieving a net-zero emissions economy by 2050.

These goals cannot be efficiently and effectively achieved without including new and emerging, safe nuclear energy technology in Maryland’s energy deployment planning.

HB 820/SB 805

HB 820 sponsored by Delegates Wu, Arentz, Buckel, Hartman, Hill, Hutchinson, T. Morgan, Simmons, and Stein, and SB 805 sponsored by Senators Brooks and Klausmeier directs a Nuclear Energy Development Task Force to study and make recommendations on the deployment of nuclear power generation resources and other related technologies in Maryland, and requiring the Task Force to report by December 30, 2025, on its findings and recommendations.

Global Energy Challenge

Looking at France and Germany; France’s reliance on nuclear power showcases a stable, low-carbon energy source that meets energy needs reliably, without the variability of wind and solar renewables. Conversely, Germany’s dependence on foreign resources after shutting down nuclear power plants, notably from Russia, reveals vulnerabilities and risks associated with energy reliance on other countries, impacting energy security, growth, stability, and location of new enterprises.  

Status of New Nuclear Energy Development

Small nuclear reactors are not currently being considered in Maryland. Small nuclear reactors are being built other than in Maryland. Current problems in Maryland include the resistance of current suppliers to the current cost of construction. and current regulatory delays. One US company, ThorCon International is building a molton salt reactor to be deployed in Indonesia. Bob Thargraves, President of ThorCon International stated in an interview on December 22, 2023 that there are 2 ½ billion people in energy poverty. It is his goal to provide low cost, safe energy for more people.  

PUBLIC SUPPORT OF NUCLEAR POWER

A 2021 poll by the Pew Research Center reports that 62% of Americans support building new nuclear power plants, up from 50% in 2016. Additionally, 70% believe nuclear power is a safe way to generate electricity. Additional public information and education, together with transparent, accurate discourse, will increase informed public support of the need for immediate planning for Maryland’s sustainable, reliable nuclear energy as an important base for its future economy.  

Furthermore, more than 1/3 (38%) of Maryland’s power comes from our nuclear plant: Calvert Cliffs, which has been running safely for more than 50 years. This fact indeed increases public confidence of introducing more nuclear power capacity in Maryland.

BENEFITS OF NUCLEAR ENERGY

Despite large initial investments, the lifecycle of nuclear power plants, characterized by prolonged operational tenure, high energy output efficiency, and relatively low maintenance costs, makes them economically viable over time. Also, new nuclear technology requires far less land and far less space than wind and solar.

Profitability of Nuclear Energy

Long-term operation of nuclear plants is economically sound due to low fuel costs and stable production rates. The profitability of nuclear energy would be enhanced by supportive policy and market mechanisms that recognize the value of clean, reliable, and base-load power generation.

Reduced Need for Uranium Supply

Advancements in nuclear technology, including more efficient reactors and fuel recycling, can extend the lifespan of existing uranium reserves, ensure a sustainable supply of nuclear fuel for future generations, and resolve nuclear waste storage issues by recycling existing nuclear waste. 

Combining and Allocating Clean Energy Resources

Balancing investments between a combination of wind, solar, and nuclear allows Maryland to harness the reliability and zero-carbon benefits of nuclear power while capitalizing on the sustainability, long term lower costs, and environmental advantages of renewables. This balanced investment strategy is essential for creating a resilient and sustainable energy system that meets Maryland’s procurement rules, future demands and environmental goals.

Planning for Reliable, Clean Energy for Maryland’s Future Needs

Nuclear energy provides a reliable, low-carbon power source which is crucial for meeting current and future energy demands while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Planning ahead requires legislators’ knowledge and understanding of new nuclear energy technology, which includes rigorous safety standards and innovative waste management solutions. Inclusion of new nuclear energy technology allows Maryland to reap significant environmental, economic, commercial and energy security benefits.

CONCLUSION

To include new nuclear energy as soon as possible in Maryland’s energy planning is necessary to enable Maryland’s future economic and job growth, and to address global warming challenges, as well as to achieve Maryland’s sustainable and reliable energy goals.  

REFERENCES

  1. Economics of nuclear power plants – Wikipedia
  2. https://world-nuclear.org/our-association/what-we-do/the-harmony-programme.aspx
  3. https://energy.maryland.gov/Documents/MarylandEnergyAssurancePlan.pdf  
  4. https://www.mdcleanenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/MCEC-Energy-101-v2023.pdf
  5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvert_Cliffs_Nuclear_Power_Plant 

Promoting small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear power

Small modular nuclear reactor power

Small modular reactor – Wikipedia

Small modular reactors (SMRs) are a proposed class of nuclear fission reactors, smaller than conventional nuclear reactors, which can be built in one location (such as a factory), then shipped, commissioned, and operated at a separate site. The term SMR refers to the size, capacity and modular construction only, not to the reactor type and the nuclear process which is applied. Designs range from scaled down versions of existing designs to generation IV designs. Both thermal-neutron reactors and fast-neutron reactors have been proposed, along with molten salt and gas cooled reactor models.[1]

SMRs are typically anticipated to have an electrical power output of less than 300 MWe (electric) or less than 1000 MWth (thermal). Many SMR proposals rely on a manufacturing-centric model, requiring many deployments to secure economies of unit production large enough to achieve economic viability. Some SMR designs[which?], typically those using Generation IV technologies, aim to secure additional economic advantage through improvements in electrical generating efficiency from much higher temperature steam generation. Ideally, modular reactors will reduce on-site construction, increase containment efficiency, and are claimed to enhance safety. The greater safety should come via the use of passive safety features that operate without human intervention, a concept already implemented in some conventional nuclear reactor types. SMRs should also reduce staffing versus conventional nuclear reactors,[2][3] and are claimed to have the ability to bypass financial and safety barriers that inhibit the construction of conventional reactors.[3][4]

As of 2023, there are more than 80 modular reactor designs under development in 19 countries, and the first SMR units are in operation in Russia and China.[5] The floating nuclear power plant Akademik Lomonosov (operating in Pevek in Russia’s Far East) is, as of October 2022, the first operating prototype in the world. The first unit of China’s pebble-bed modular high-temperature gas-cooled reactor HTR-PM was connected to the grid in 2021.[5]

SMRs differ in terms of staffing, security and deployment time.[6] US government studies to evaluate SMR-associated risks have slowed licensing.[7][8][9] One concern with SMRs is preventing nuclear proliferation.[10][11]

NBC Report:

How China became king of new nuclear power, how U.S. could catch up (cnbc.com)

“The U.S. is widely recognized to offer world-leading nuclear energy technology, but having great designs on paper is not enough – most other nations want to see that technology demonstrated before they will consider building it in their country,” Kotek told CNBC. “So the U.S. would be wise to incentivize an accelerated build-out of next-generation nuclear energy systems here at home, so that we’re in a position to take proven designs into the global marketplace and take back our position as the world’s top nuclear energy exporter.”

Developing countries look to China in push for smaller nuclear reactors | Energy Central

Here’s Why Hydrogen Is a Great Partner for Nuclear—and the Planet (nei.org)

1st small modular nuclear reactor certified for use in US | AP News

Nuclear Accident

List of nuclear power accidents by country – Wikipedia