Rachael Josephs

The advent of small modular reactors (SMRs) represents a transformative leap in nuclear technology. With their smaller size, modular construction, and safety features, SMRs address challenges faced by traditional reactors. However, these technological advancements pose significant regulatory challenges that must be addressed to ensure their safe and effective integration into the energy grid. This paper presents robust regulatory strategies essential for the deployment of SMRs. We also perform economic and sensitivity analysis on a notional SMR project to assess its feasibility, profitability, and long-term viability, pinpointing areas for cost optimization and determining the project’s resilience to market trends and technological changes. Key findings highlight market demand as the most influential factor, with public acceptance, regulatory clarity, economic viability, and government support playing critical roles. The sensitivity analysis shows that SMRs could account for 3% to 9% of the energy market by 2050, with a base case of 4.5%, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts among policymakers, industry stakeholders, and regulatory bodies. Technological maturity suggests current designs are viable, with future R&D focusing on market appeal and safety. By synthesizing these insights, the paper aims to guide regulatory authorities in facilitating informed decision-making, policy formulation, and the adoption of SMRs.

Geological hydrogen storage, seen as a viable solution for addressing energy demands and mitigating the intermittency of wind power, is gaining recognition. At present, there are no specific studies that estimate hydrogen storage capacity and the potential for wind integration in North Dakota despite the state’s enormous energy resources and capabilities. The study’s key innovation lies in repurposing a region historically associated with oil and gas for sustainable energy storage, thereby addressing the intermittency of wind sources. Moreover, the innovative aspect of this study involves field selection, site screening, characterization, and mathematical modeling to simulate a wind–hydrogen production and geological storage system. A 15 MW wind farm, using real-world data from General Electric wind turbines, is employed to assess storage capacities within the Middle Bakken formation. The study reveals substantial storage potentials in wells W24814, W19693, and W26990, with capacities of 54,000, 33,000, and 22,000 tons, respectively. These capacities translate to energy storage capabilities of 1080, 660, and 440 GWh, with minimum storage durations of 140, 80, and 57 days, respectively, under a 60% system efficiency. By pioneering the integration of wind energy with geological hydrogen storage in a region traditionally dominated by fossil fuel extraction, this research could play a crucial role in advancing North Dakota’s energy transition, providing a blueprint for similar initiatives globally.