Coal, Natural Gas, and Gen IV SMRs

Coal, Natural Gas, and Gen IV SMRs

Assumptions

Factor Assumption
CO₂ Not considered a pollutant or is captured/stored later
Water Use Regulated across all sources; cooling towers or dry cooling required
Compliance Cost Nuclear no longer burdened by long licensing and construction delays
Coal Waste Treated as valuable raw material (e.g., fly ash for cement, gypsum from scrubbers)
Nuclear Tech Gen IV SMRs in widespread use (e.g., 50–300 MWe units, modular build, passive safety)
Grid Role All three provide baseload or load-following power
Fuel Pricing Moderate and stable (no energy crisis or supply chain disruptions)

Performance Comparison

Category Coal (IGCC + Scrubbers) Natural Gas (CCGT) Nuclear (Gen IV SMRs)
Thermal Efficiency 40–45% 55–62% 30–35%
CAPEX ($/kW) $3,500–5,000 $900–1,300 $4,000–7,000 (modularized)
O&M Cost ($/MWh) $30–50 $10–20 $10–25
Fuel Cost ($/MWh) $15–25 $25–35 $6–10
Water Use (gal/MWh) 300–500 (with cooling towers) 100–250 300–600
Air Emissions Very low (excluding CO₂) Very low None
Waste Usable (fly ash, FGD gypsum, slag) Minimal Compact, long-term storage required
Ramp/Flexibility Slow ramp (newer designs better) Fast ramp Medium (SMRs better than traditional)
Footprint (Land & Supply) Large (mining, transport) Medium Small
Energy Density Medium Medium-high Very high
Build Time 4–7 years 2–4 years 2–5 years (with factory builds)
Lifecycle (years) 40+ 30+ 60+
Grid Resilience High High Very High (passive safety, long refuel)

Strategic Role Summary

1. Coal (Clean & Integrated)

  • Strengths: Long-term fuel security; byproduct reuse; high reliability; domestic resource.
  • Drawbacks: Still low flexibility; moderate efficiency; large physical/logistical footprint.
  • Strategic Role: Best suited for regions with abundant coal and industrial reuse markets.

2. Natural Gas (CCGT)

  • Strengths: High efficiency, low CAPEX, grid agility, low emissions.
  • Drawbacks: Still fossil-based; dependent on well infrastructure; less long-lived.
  • Strategic Role: Excellent transitional and peaking solution; strong complement to renewables.

3. Nuclear (Gen IV SMRs)

  • Strengths: Highest energy density; no air emissions or CO₂; long lifespan; modular & scalable.
  • Drawbacks: Still needs safe waste handling; high upfront cost; novel tech in deployment stage.
  • Strategic Role: Ideal for low-carbon baseload, remote areas, and national strategic assets.

Adjusted Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE)

Source LCOE ($/MWh) Notes
Coal (IGCC w/scrubbers) ~$75–95 Lower with valuable waste
Natural Gas (CCGT) ~$45–70 Highly competitive if fuel costs are stable
Gen IV SMRs ~$65–85 Assuming factory production and streamlined permitting

Final Verdict (Under Optimized Assumptions)

  • Most Economical Short-Term: Natural Gas
  • Most Strategic Long-Term: Gen IV SMRs
  • Most Viable if Industrial Ecosystem Exists: Clean Coal

All three could coexist in a diversified, stable energy grid:

  • Coal filling a regional or industrial niche,
  • Gas providing flexibility and economy,
  • SMRs ensuring long-term sustainability and energy security.
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