N-R HES Emerge as Promising Solutions
Publish date: 11/09/2025
Nuclear-Renewable Hybrid Energy Systems (N-R HES) are emerging as promising solutions for clean, reliable and flexible energy supply. Their importance grows with the rising share of renewable energy generation and development of advanced nuclear technologies such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
Nuclear-Renewable Hybrid Energy Systems:
Strategic Integrative Solution (WP1 Task 1.2)
Nuclear-Renewable Hybrid Energy Systems (N-R HES) are emerging as promising solutions for clean, reliable and flexible energy supply. Their importance grows with the rising share of renewable energy generation and the development of advanced nuclear technologies such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). First gaining momentum in the early 2010s, researchers suggested that nuclear and renewable energy can complement each other, enhancing flexibility, stability and overall system performance.
N-R HES are designed to provide more than electricity: by coordinating nuclear output with renewables and industrial processes, they can stabilize grids while also supporting non-electric uses such as hydrogen production, desalination, district heating and others. The International Atomic Energy Agency defines them as integrated facilities that combine nuclear reactors, renewable generation and industrial processes to deliver flexibility, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and maximize investment efficiency (NR-T-1.24, 2022).
As part of the WP1 Task 1.2 of the SANE project, SSTC NRS conducted a comprehensive review of the concepts of N-R HES, the coupling methods, applications and technology readiness levels, as well as outlined the deployment considerations. A survey of publications revealed a steady growth in research and international projects, highlighting the global interest in the field.
The review highlights several opportunities and benefits of N-R HES. Technically, they provide dispatchable low-carbon power and grid flexibility by combining nuclear with renewables and dynamically allocating energy between electricity and non-electric applications. Economically, they enhance asset utilization and revenues through continuous operation, product diversification (such as hydrogen or ammonia) and cost efficiency from reduced curtailment and shared infrastructure. Environmentally, they drive deep decarbonization across power and industry by displacing fossil fuels and enabling greater renewable penetration.
At the same time, the analysis points to aspects requiring further consideration. These include adapting safety analyses to account for specific interfacing initiating events, ensuring reliable operation of complex multi-component systems and addressing cybersecurity. In addition, because
nuclear, renewable and industrial components often fall under different regulatory authorities, early coordination and expanded expertise will be essential to establishing efficient licensing processes for N-R HES.
Looking ahead, N-R HES represent a strategic pathway to decarbonization, diversification of energy carriers and improved energy resilience. They hold strong potential for cross-sector integration, enhanced energy security and innovation in non-electric applications of nuclear energy. To realize this potential, further research, pilot-scale demonstrations and international cooperation will be required, along with progress in modelling, safety analysis and regulatory frameworks to help move from conceptual designs toward practical deployment.
For successful deployment and thus obtaining the full spectrum of benefits from N-R HES technology, open communication based on unbiased facts is essential, as it will enable the public to better understand this technology, accept and even support it.
The road to introducing new technology has never been easy, however, through meticulous and comprehensive research, trials and with the help of clear, fact-based communication towards the professional as well as general public, we are able to move forward together, towards cleaner, more sustainable future.
For more information, do not hesitate to contact
Mr. Oleksii DYBACH, PhD at om_dybach@sstc.ua.
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