Nuclear cogeneration in district heating: pathways to decarbonization

The decarbonization of the space-heating sector is a critical element in the global effort to transition to low-carbon energy systems. District heating (DH) systems are recognized as an effective way to combine low-carbon sources to provide heat for residential and tertiary sector buildings. As a proven technology for decarbonized electricity generation and with experience in coupling with DH networks, the hybridization of nuclear plants appears to be a promising technology to contribute to the low-carbon mix for space heating. However, considering the substantial investment required for this technology and the development of alternative low-carbon sources, such as biomass and large-scale heat pumps, the role of nuclear cogeneration in DH systems must be critically evaluated. This paper aims to identify key factors influencing the optimal transition pathways to low-carbon DH systems with the potential to include nuclear cogeneration plants. We seek to understand the advantages of nuclear cogeneration in a local context compared to alternative low-carbon heat production technologies. This paper contributes to the literature on the use of nuclear cogeneration for district heating. It conducts a comprehensive study of economic scenarios for optimal decarbonization of district heating networks, and includes heat transport aspects in the modeling and economic evaluation.