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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Public Policy

2021

Boise State University

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Structural Power In Sustainability Transitions: Case Studies Of Energy Storage Integration Into Regional Transmission Organization Decision Processes, Stephanie Lenhart, Dalten Fox Dec 2021

Structural Power In Sustainability Transitions: Case Studies Of Energy Storage Integration Into Regional Transmission Organization Decision Processes, Stephanie Lenhart, Dalten Fox

CAES Energy Policy Institute Faculty Publications and Presentations

Highly technical rules for regional electricity markets shape opportunities for new technologies and the pace of transition to a cleaner and more distributed power system. We compare three case studies of regional transmission organizations and identify common mechanisms that describe the relationship between institutional design and administrative policy decisions. We compare industry actors, old and new, across these case studies to better understand structural power and institutional stability through four mechanisms drawn from the literature: (1) self-reinforcing interests, (2) participation in and position of groups, (3) influence over communication and information, and (4) control over problem framing and pace of …


Cyber Security For Microreactors In Advanced Energy Systems, Piyush Sabharwall, James Gibb, Christopher Ritter, Kathleen Araújo, Abhinav Gupta, Ian Ferguson, Bri Rolston, Ron Fisher, Jess Gehin, Youssef Ballout Jul 2021

Cyber Security For Microreactors In Advanced Energy Systems, Piyush Sabharwall, James Gibb, Christopher Ritter, Kathleen Araújo, Abhinav Gupta, Ian Ferguson, Bri Rolston, Ron Fisher, Jess Gehin, Youssef Ballout

CAES Energy Policy Institute Faculty Publications and Presentations

Demand for clean and resilient energy has led to new and advancing frontiers of energy development in nuclear technology, specifically in the development of microreactors. These miniaturised modular reactors are generally < 20 megawatts thermal (MWt) or 10 megawatts electric (MWe) and offer new opportunities to meet energy needs in remote locations and mobile operations. As with the slightly larger small modular reactors (< 300 MWe), microreactor development must demonstrate security and safety, as well as economic competitiveness, to be seen as potential opportunities for new applications. Current research focuses on passive safety features, capital costs, reliability, semi-autonomous or autonomous control, cyber informed design, digital twins and non-proliferation. This paper focuses specifically on microreactor cyber informed design and cyber risk. An overview of microreactor technology provides a basis for examining the cyber nuclear playing field, with an emphasis on the USA. Frameworks for evaluating cyber security threats, and thereby designing for them, are reviewed. Recommendations follow with ideas for future research.