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Summary In support of the use of more efficient and low‐carbon nuclear energy along with solar energy in power generation systems, the present paper presents a technical‐economic analysis of a nuclear renewable hybrid energy system (NR‐HES) case study for a given electricity and residential heat demand profiles of a typical remote community in Canada. The studied hybrid energy system is composed of a small modular nuclear reactor (SMR), a concentrated solar tower (CST), and a thermal energy storage (TES) unit. A fossil fuel backup energy source is also considered to generate excess electricity as needed. The CST and nuclear reactor both share the same TES system. Five different thermal storage fluids are examined: Therminol, Dowtherm, solar salt, Hitec salt, and Hitec XL salt. A transient thermodynamic mathematical model is developed in order to determine the overall configuration, performance, and operation strategy for the NR‐HES. The operational strategy of the NR‐HES is based on the steady‐state full‐power operation of the SMR, storing the excess energy in the TES system when the combined nuclear and solar power generation exceeds the power demand of the electrical grid and using the stored thermal energy during the periods of peak demand A detailed economic analysis of the NR‐HES is conducted for each operational scenario, including the annualized cost of the TES system and the NR‐HES plant, as well as annual revenue and profit generated by the TES system. The developed model is used to obtain the most economical thermal storage fluid and to optimize the size of TES system in order to minimize the use of fossil fuels and maximize profit. Parametric studies of reactor thermal power and CST's field area are conducted to determine their effect on the performance and configuration of the NR‐HES. Based on the current case study in terms of demand profiles, the results revealed that Therminol is the most economical thermal storage fluid for the present NR‐HES with a charging capacity and round‐trip storage efficiency of 237 268 MWh/year and 96%, respectively. The optimum Therminol storage tank size is evaluated to be 14 m in height and 10 m in diameter with a yearly average power cycle efficiency of ~36% and economic profit of 1 158 30 CAD/year. The parametric studies indicated that a larger TES size may decrease the usage of fossil fuel energy sources; however, it increases system total capital cost and decreases the power cycle efficiency and TES profit at given load. The results of this study indicate that an NR‐HES is a promising low‐carbon power generation system with the potential to meet the electricity and residential heat demand of remote communities.

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This commitment is reflected in our continued support of technology development and innovation in our current and future energy systems. Our organizations have each supported a variety of research and development activities and initiatives in collaboration with national laboratories, academia, and industry partners that explore and utilize different technologies to meet a variety of energy demands. Nuclear energy is an important part of the global clean energy supply, providing nearly one-third of the world's non-emitting electricity and complementing and enabling other clean energy sources, including renewables. Recognizing this current and future potential for nuclear energy, the Nuclear Innovation: Clean Energy Future (NICE Future) initiative was launched in 2018 at the Ninth CEM in Copenhagen, Denmark. Since its launch, the NICE Future initiative has succeeded in initiating broad, cross-sectoral dialogue among CEM member countries to highlight the roles that nuclear energy can play in bolstering economic growth, energy security, and access, and environmental stewardship. This includes exploring and building awareness about how innovative nuclear energy technologies across both large and small-scale applications, such as small modular reactors (SMRs) and other advanced reactors, can drive clean growth. To explore and communicate the increasingly flexible roles that nuclear energy technologies can play in integrated clean energy systems of the future, the NICE Future initiative proudly launched the Flexible Nuclear Campaign for Nuclear-Renewables Integration (Flexible Nuclear Campaign) at the 10 th CEM in Vancouver, Canada in 2019. The International Energy Agency's (IEA's) 2019 World Energy Outlook forecasts that electricity generation from variable renewables could range from 36% to 67% by 2040. As more renewables connect to the grid, many countries are developing innovative options to employ more flexible operation of traditional and base load energy sources, like nuclear, to produce electricity and heat to meet demand. This report brought together experts from around the globe to share expertise and study opportunities for innovative and advanced nuclear systems to operate flexibly and work in tandem with renewables, contributing to clean energy systems of the future. As demonstrated in technical analyses summarized in this report, nuclear energy offers flexibility in certain electricity markets around the world, and new nuclear technologies could extend the versatility of nuclear energy systems further. At its most basic, nuclear energy can operate flexibly by ramping power output up or down to match grid demand; however, nuclear energy's services extend beyond just electricity generation. Around the world, research is underway to explore how nuclear systems can use generated thermal