Date of Award

January 2023

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Energy Engineering

First Advisor

Olusegun S. Tomomewo

Abstract

Climate Change is one of the world’s most urgent issues, and the ideas to reduce the emission of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) from manmade sources needed to help resolve this plight. Globally, the production of electricity accounts for nearly 40% of all GHG emissions in 2022. The substitution of nuclear energy can reduce that number greatly. SMRs, or small modular nuclear reactors, are smaller than conventional nuclear reactors. They can be made on-site, assembled, and transported to their final destination. SMRs offer many advantages over traditional reactors. They are more cost-effective, safer, and more flexible.SMRs could be used to replace fossil fuel-based power generation which is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. SMRs can generate electricity with nuclear power and help reduce carbon emissions. This could be a step towards achieving net zero emissions by 2050. This means they can be used in a wider variety of applications, such as in remote areas or in microgrids. There are challenges that come with the deployment and use of SMRs. There are regulatory and licensing hurdles, public approval, and financing. Many countries and companies have begun to invest in SMR technology despite these obstacles. This is a way to meet future energy needs while reducing carbon emissions. This dissertation will rank various SMRs using the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method and will examine how the SMRs are able to aid in reducing GHG emissions by replacing high GHG emitters. With this substitution we will discuss quantitatively how these changes will be able to help the world meet the Paris Agreement’s Net Zero 2050 aims.

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