Facilitating developments of solar thermal power and nuclear power generations for carbon neutral: A study based on evolutionary game theoretic method.

Solar thermal power and nuclear power generations are two most promising clean energy power approaches, which are effective for reducing carbon emissions. In order to promote the coordinated development of solar thermal power and nuclear power in China under the background of carbon neutral, the current paper develops a partnership comprised by the energy investment company (EIC), solar thermal power plant (STPP) and nuclear power plant (NPP). By utilizing the evolutionary game theory method and current policies of China, the evolutionary process simulations of the three participants under different conditions are conducted, which demonstrate that steady states could be achieved under different partnerships. Impact investigation results of typical influential factors indicate that longer annual operation time of power plant, larger subsidy and higher electricity price sold to the power grid are favorable to promote the partnership smoothly. Suitable investment ratio of the STPP and NPP should be considered as a larger investment ratio of the STPP and NPP has incentive influence on EICs and STPPs but inhibiting impact on NPPs. The results of the current study have certain reference value for the policy and strategy formulations for facilitating the developments of solar thermal power and nuclear power generations.