Future energy landscapes: Analyzing the cost-effectiveness of nuclear-renewable integrated energy Systems in Retrofitting of coal power plants – (Applied Energy)

Authors: Muhammad R. Abdussami, Aditi Verma
Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan, 2355 Bonisteel Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States

Coal-dependent power systems need low‑carbon replacements that keep reliability and costs in check. This Applied Energy study (Jan 2025) compares three retrofit pathways for coal plants—Greenfield, Coal‑to‑Nuclear (C2N), and Coal‑to‑Integrated Energy Systems (C2IES).

Using site screening, optimization, and sensitivity analysis, the authors find that C2IES, combining nuclear with renewables and storage, can markedly lower cost of energy and boost system resilience, offering a practical, scalable route to decarbonize coal assets.