Publication Date

12-2025

Date of Final Oral Examination (Defense)

9-30-2025

Type of Culminating Activity

Thesis

Degree Title

Master of Science in Civil Engineering

Department

Civil Engineering

Supervisory Committee Chair

Mojtaba Sadegh, Ph.D.

Supervisory Committee Member

Bhaskar Chittoori, Ph.D.

Supervisory Committee Member

Kathleen Araujo, Ph.D.

Abstract

This thesis evaluates the feasibility of integrating next-generation nuclear technology into hybrid energy systems, framing the analysis within the guidelines suggested by the World Energy Council’s, Energy Trilemma. The trilemma seeks to balance energy security, economics/equity and sustainability. To this end, a computer model was created to illustrate how the limitations of intermittent renewables, like wind and solar (PV), can be addressed when they are combined with a baseload provided by a next-generation nuclear Small Modular Reactor (SMR). The baseload power provided by nuclear energy can smooth the variability of wind or solar power, while simultaneously offsetting the cost of nuclear energy with the lower cost of such renewable energy. Using the System Advisor Model (SAM) with data from the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and Lazard’s Levelized Cost of Electricity+ 2024, four modeled scenarios were developed to test the hypothesis that incorporating a nuclear baseload can reduce system variability and offset costs.

The analysis demonstrated that the modeled 62 MW renewables-only system had a low-capacity factor of 24.77%, and a real Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) of $168.35/MWh. When a 20 MW SMR was added to the same renewables system, the capacity factor increased to 41.17% while the LCOE decreased to $166.84/MWh, validating the hypothesis. Simulations show that renewables and SMRs can complement each other and address their distinct technology profiles, making a more reliable, and economic energy portfolio. Since the focus was on hybrid energy, the same renewable system was modeled with a 20 MW utility scale battery, which resulted in a higher LCOE of $243.16/MWh. While an analysis of the Levelized Cost of Storage (LCOS) was out of the scope of this study, this scenario highlights the challenges associated with short-term strategies that do not properly address the problem.

The findings concluded that pairing nuclear energy with certain renewables in a hybrid system may produce a more resilient, potentially economic and sustainable energy portfolio that effectively addresses the complex demands of the energy trilemma. This study highlights the potential for next-generation nuclear technology to play a central role in future energy systems.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18122/td.2470.boisestate

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