The ability to build future grids with the lowest carbon emissions requires some nuclear power in the lowest total cost solutions according to a recent study from MIT. Using data from 9 areas of the US detailing the demand patterns and availability of wind, solar, hydro, and existing nuclear plants a pattern emerges where the less carbon emissions allowed, the more nuclear power was included in the lowest cost grid designs. This was especially true for California because of poor wind resources.
The ability to build future grids with the lowest carbon emissions requires some nuclear power in the lowest total cost solutions according to a recent study from MIT. Using data from 9 areas of the US detailing the demand patterns and availability of wind, solar, hydro, and existing nuclear plants a pattern emerges where the less carbon emissions allowed, the more nuclear power was included in the lowest cost grid designs. This was especially true for California because of poor wind resources.
https://news.mit.edu/2024/cutting-carbon-emissions-us-power-grid-0311