IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v314y2025ics0360544224038696.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Genetic algorithm-based non-synchronous unit-specific optimal load-following control of multi-unit small modular reactor

Author

Listed:
  • Byun, Hyeon-Ho
  • Yim, Man-Sung

Abstract

Small modular reactors (SMRs) serve as low-carbon energy sources with the advantage of flexible construction within small-scale power grids. Particularly, they are promising candidates for replacing existing coal-based power plants and supporting renewable energy (RE). The load-following operation of multi-unit SMR (muSMR) is essential in this regard to compensate for the intermittency of renewable energy production. To simulate realistic operations, this study assumes that muSMRs are composed of cores with varying burnup levels and applies genetic algorithm to allocate the optimal power output for each unit along with T-avg control, thereby minimizing the control rod movements. A reactor system code was developed to assign optimal power outputs for each unit, considering the core characteristics based on burnup levels. The proposed methodology was applied to replace coal in South Kalimantan, Indonesia, which is a region relying heavily on coal power for energy with limited external power transmission and consistent load fluctuation patterns, under the conditions of increased renewable energy penetration. The results showed feasible SMR deployment supporting renewables with a reduction in control rod movements and replacement costs compared to conventional methods that synchronize the power output across all SMR units.

Suggested Citation

  • Byun, Hyeon-Ho & Yim, Man-Sung, 2025. "Genetic algorithm-based non-synchronous unit-specific optimal load-following control of multi-unit small modular reactor," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 314(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:314:y:2025:i:c:s0360544224038696
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.134091
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544224038696
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2024.134091?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Dong, Zhe & Pan, Yifei & Zhang, Zuoyi & Dong, Yujie & Huang, Xiaojin, 2018. "Dynamical modeling and simulation of the six-modular high temperature gas-cooled reactor plant HTR-PM600," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 971-991.
    2. Kang, Seong Woo & Yim, Man-Sung, 2023. "Coupled system model analysis for a small modular reactor cogeneration (combined heat and power) application," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 262(PA).
    3. Ryu, Hanee & Dorjragchaa, Shonkhor & Kim, Yeonbae & Kim, Kyunam, 2014. "Electricity-generation mix considering energy security and carbon emission mitigation: Case of Korea and Mongolia," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 1071-1079.
    4. Deng, Jiaolong & Guan, Chaoran & Sun, Yujie & Liu, Xiaojing & Zhang, Tengfei & He, Hui & Chai, Xiang, 2024. "Techno-economic analysis and dynamic performance evaluation of an integrated green concept based on concentrating solar power and a transportable heat pipe-cooled nuclear reactor," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 303(C).
    5. Jenkins, J.D. & Zhou, Z. & Ponciroli, R. & Vilim, R.B. & Ganda, F. & de Sisternes, F. & Botterud, A., 2018. "The benefits of nuclear flexibility in power system operations with renewable energy," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 222(C), pages 872-884.
    6. Sun, Jinxiang & Zhang, Ruibo & Wang, Mingjun & Zhang, Jing & Qiu, Suizheng & Tian, Wenxi & Su, G.H., 2022. "Multi-objective optimization of helical coil steam generator in high temperature gas reactors with genetic algorithm and response surface method," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    7. Alhadhrami, Saeed & Soto, Gabriel J & Lindley, Ben, 2023. "Dispatch analysis of flexible power operation with multi-unit small modular reactors," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).
    8. Chireuding Zeliang & Yi Mi & Akira Tokuhiro & Lixuan Lu & Aleksey Rezvoi, 2020. "Integral PWR-Type Small Modular Reactor Developmental Status, Design Characteristics and Passive Features: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-22, June.
    9. Nam, Hoseok, 2020. "Impact of nuclear phase-out policy and energy balance in 2029 based on the 8th Basic Plan for long-term electricity supply and demand in South Korea," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    10. Zhang, Qi & Ishihara, Keiichi N. & Mclellan, Benjamin C. & Tezuka, Tetsuo, 2012. "Scenario analysis on future electricity supply and demand in Japan," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 38(1), pages 376-385.
    11. Hui, Jiuwu, 2024. "Discrete-time integral terminal sliding mode load following controller coupled with disturbance observer for a modular high-temperature gas-cooled reactor," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 292(C).
    12. Asuega, Anthony & Limb, Braden J. & Quinn, Jason C., 2023. "Techno-economic analysis of advanced small modular nuclear reactors," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 334(C).
    13. Hui, Jiuwu, 2024. "Coordinated discrete-time super-twisting sliding mode controller coupled with time-delay estimator for PWR-based nuclear steam supply system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 301(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Qiu, Leilei & Liao, Shengyong & Fan, Sui & Sun, Peiwei & Wei, Xinyu, 2023. "Dynamic modelling and control system design of micro-high-temperature gas-cooled reactor with helium brayton cycle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(PB).
    2. Dong, Zhe & Liu, Miao & Zhang, Zuoyi & Dong, Yujie & Huang, Xiaojin, 2019. "Automatic generation control for the flexible operation of multimodular high temperature gas-cooled reactor plants," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 11-31.
    3. Saari, Jussi & Kozlova, Mariia & Suikkanen, Heikki & Sermyagina, Ekaterina & Hyvärinen, Juhani & Yeomans, Julian Scott, 2024. "Global sensitivity analysis of nuclear district heating reactor primary heat exchanger and pressure vessel optimization," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 312(C).
    4. Christos K. Simoglou & Ioannis M. Kaissas & Pandelis N. Biskas, 2025. "Assessing the Implications of Integrating Small Modular Reactors in Modern Power Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-28, May.
    5. Carlo L. Vinoya & Aristotle T. Ubando & Alvin B. Culaba & Wei-Hsin Chen, 2023. "State-of-the-Art Review of Small Modular Reactors," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-30, April.
    6. Lu, Qi & Han, Wenbin & Deng, Jian & Li, Hongbo & Wei, Zonglan, 2024. "Modular gas-cooled reactor core optimal design and additive manufacturing performance based on SiC matrix dispersed with TRi-structural ISOtropic fuel," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 308(C).
    7. Zhang, Qi & Mclellan, Benjamin C. & Tezuka, Tetsuo & Ishihara, Keiichi N., 2013. "A methodology for economic and environmental analysis of electric vehicles with different operational conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 118-127.
    8. Perwez, Usama & Sohail, Ahmed & Hassan, Syed Fahad & Zia, Usman, 2015. "The long-term forecast of Pakistan's electricity supply and demand: An application of long range energy alternatives planning," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(P2), pages 2423-2435.
    9. Sungho Son & Nam-Wook Cho, 2020. "Technology Fusion Characteristics in the Solar Photovoltaic Industry of South Korea: A Patent Network Analysis Using IPC Co-Occurrence," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-19, October.
    10. Aghajani, Saemeh & Kalantar, Mohsen, 2017. "Optimal scheduling of distributed energy resources in smart grids: A complementarity approach," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 2135-2144.
    11. Min, Daiki & Chung, Jaewoo, 2013. "Evaluation of the long-term power generation mix: The case study of South Korea's energy policy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 1544-1552.
    12. Alhadhrami, Saeed & Soto, Gabriel J & Lindley, Ben, 2023. "Dispatch analysis of flexible power operation with multi-unit small modular reactors," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).
    13. Zhang, Tianhao & Dong, Zhe & Huang, Xiaojin, 2024. "Multi-objective optimization of thermal power and outlet steam temperature for a nuclear steam supply system with deep reinforcement learning," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 286(C).
    14. Niematallah Elamin & Mototsugu Fukushige, 2017. "The 2011 Japanese energy crisis: Effects on the magnitude and pattern of load demand," Discussion Papers in Economics and Business 17-19, Osaka University, Graduate School of Economics.
    15. Moon, Hee Seung & Song, Yong Hyun & Lee, Ji Woo & Hong, Sanghyun & Kim, Eunsung & Kim, Seung Wan, 2024. "Implementation cost of net zero electricity system: Analysis based on Korean national target," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    16. Sherrell R. Greene, 2020. "How Nuclear Power Can Transform Electric Grid and Critical Infrastructure Resilience," Journal of Critical Infrastructure Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 1(2), pages 37-72, September.
    17. Dong, Zhe & Li, Junyi & Zhang, Jiasen & Huang, Xiaojin & Dong, Yujie & Zhang, Zuoyi, 2024. "Nonlinear finite-set control of clean energy systems with nuclear power application," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    18. Li, Tao & Xiong, Jinbiao & Xie, Qiuxia & Chai, Xiang, 2024. "Performance analysis of heat pipe micro-reactor with Stirling engine based on full-scope multi-physics coupled simulation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    19. Mathiesen, B.V. & Lund, H. & Connolly, D. & Wenzel, H. & Østergaard, P.A. & Möller, B. & Nielsen, S. & Ridjan, I. & Karnøe, P. & Sperling, K. & Hvelplund, F.K., 2015. "Smart Energy Systems for coherent 100% renewable energy and transport solutions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 139-154.
    20. Lin, Boqiang & Ouyang, Xiaoling, 2014. "Analysis of energy-related CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions and reduction potential in the Chinese non-metallic mineral products industry," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 688-697.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:314:y:2025:i:c:s0360544224038696. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.