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Nuclear energy has been getting some serious attention lately. Attention from key lawmakers and politicians, that is. As we enter an era of increased concern over clean and reliable energy, industry experts have taken a stand on the potential of nuclear power. And last month, expert witnesses at a hearing on Capitol Hill said that reliable baseload electricity options such as nuclear energy must be a part of the country’s modern electric infrastructure. Here’s how they broke it down.

Creating a Reliable Baseload

Renewable energy is necessary to produce the electricity that will be required to meet rising demand across the U.S. As cities grow bigger, our electricity needs deepen. But at the same time, we are experiencing constricting policies that reign in energy production that results in high amounts of pollution, particularly coal which was once considered the country’s top energy source. This creates conflict in the industry, because while clean renewable energy facilities are being built, they are notoriously irregular in their rate of electricity production.

For example, it makes sense that wind farms produce more energy on windy days, but the wind is not a consistent or reliable entity. That consistency is critical to form the baseload on which consumers can rely. That’s where nuclear power comes in. Energy experts put it to Congress this way: Nuclear power plants are a highly valuable component of our electrical infrastructure because they run 24/7, they offer stable prices, and furthermore they operate for up to two years without needing to refuel.

In his address to congress, Electric Power Research Institute president and Chief Executive Officer Michael Howard said, “It’s important not just to have enough energy, but to have adequate capacity to fill in the voids. We’re getting to the point where we’re energy rich, but capacity poor and that reinforces the need for baseload generation.”

Rethinking the Balance of Power

The move toward greener energy has also resulted in a shift toward decentralization of power generation. Smart grids that use digital technology to improve reliability, resiliency and efficiency of the electricity delivery system still benefit from the concept of a centralized power source, at least in part. A centralized power source such as a nuclear facility is the logical choice, as they have proven to support communities and provide the clean, reliable power the country is counting on.

“An essential near-term step is the full implementation of what we call the integrated grid: An integrated electrical system which fully realizes the value of central and distributed energy resources,” said Howard at the hearing. This is because smart grids will require both centralized and decentralized electricity sources to meet the growing demand for cleaner, and yet still reliable electricity.

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