Assessing Indian Point’s Electricity Generation Through Renewable Energy Pathways: A Technical and Economic Analysis

Abstract

The Indian Point Energy Center (IPEC) supplied approximately 25% of New York City and the surrounding area’s electricity. As of April 2021, the nuclear power plant has been shut down, creating the need for other energy sources to meet the demand. This scoping analysis study examined the ability of different renewable pathways (solar photovoltaic (PV), willow biomass, onshore wind, and two combinations of these) to replicate the IPEC’s electricity generation profile. Five renewable electricity generation supply profiles were developed and analyzed from monthly and seasonal perspectives. The timing and alignment of the different generation supply profiles relative to that of IPEC were analyzed. Productivity in MWh hectare−1 year−1 and economic feasibility of the renewable electricity pathway scenarios were assessed. This study identified the solar PV pathway as the most efficient in terms of electricity land productivity at 731.9 MWh hectare−1 year−1, while the willow biomass pathway was the least efficient at 15.2 MWh hectare−1 year−1. However, in terms of net electricity output to the grid, the solar PV pathway was the least productive at 137,610 MWh/year, while the onshore wind with willow biomass pathway produced the highest net output at 894,801 MWh/year. These findings are important at a time when policymakers are considering or implementing plans to phase out nuclear power in favor of renewable electricity.

Validating global horizontal irradiance estimated by McClear model under clear-sky and all-sky conditions in Pakistan

“…4 The governments are implementing carbon reduction targets which require steep decrease in greenhouse gases emissions from the power sector. 5…”

“…4 The governments are implementing carbon reduction targets which require steep decrease in greenhouse gases emissions from the power sector. 5 The total electricity generation of the world in the year 2021 was 27,521 TWh, there was 81% increase in electricity generation during the last two decades from 2001 to 2021. 6 The fossil fuel based energy processes are major sources of CO 2 emissions.…”