Investigating Benefits and Challenges of Converting Retiring Coal Plants into Nuclear Plants
Author(s): J. Hansen, W. Jenson, A. Wrobel (INL); N. Stauff, K. Biegel, T. Kim (ANL); R. Belles, F. Omitaomu (ORNL)
A coal-to-nuclear (C2N) transition means siting a nuclear reactor at the site of a recently retired coal power plant. Three overarching questions from the C2N transition guide this research: where in the United States are retired coal facilities located and what factors make a site feasible for transition; what factors of technology, cost, and project timeline drive investor economics over such a decision; and how will C2N impact local communities?