Operational Effects of Power-to-Electric Boiler Considering Flexible Operation of Nuclear Power Plants

This study evaluates the operational effects of power-to-electric boilers (P2eB) in the 2030 Korean power system, considering flexible nuclear operation. A reserve-constrained unit commitment model jointly optimizes the power and heat systems while representing nuclear output reduction, minimum-output holding, and recovery. P2eB capacity is varied from 0 to 10 GW under different nuclear operating and reserve-provision conditions. The results show that P2eB reduce operating costs, renewable energy curtailment, and nuclear output reduction by absorbing surplus electricity and replacing heat production from combined heat and power units and peak-load boilers. Cost reductions reach approximately KRW 7.0 billion under rated nuclear operation and KRW 5.5 billion under partial flexible operation, with primary reserve provision yielding the greatest benefit.