The potential shutdown of multiple nuclear power plants in France over the next decade raises significant challenges for the stability and flexibility of the electricity mix. Previous studies indicate that increasing the share of intermittent renewable energy sources can lead to greater fluctuations in residual electricity demand. With the progressive phase out of gas and coal, the remaining nuclear fleet will need to operate more flexibly to compensate for these variations. My work explores both the technical and economic aspects of enhancing nuclear power plant maneuverability to ensure grid stability. In the first phase, we investigate reactor physics to identify technical pathways for improving the operational flexibility of individual nuclear reactors and entire fleets. This is achieved by leveraging on a computational model that evaluates physical constraints limiting maneuverability for any given power profile. This model helped us suggest strategies to optimize maneuvering under the G-mode and improve power dispatch across multiple reactors. The second phase of my work focuses on the economic resilience of various electricity mix scenarios, incorporating the technical constraints identified in the first phase. By integrating these constraints into economic models, we aim to assess the feasibility and sustainability of future energy strategies in the context of increasing reliance on renewable energy sources.
