My Publications
Research papers, theses, and conference presentations in nuclear energy and AI systems
Research papers, theses, and conference presentations in nuclear energy and AI systems
I am a first-year Ph.D. student, and I am including my journal article, bachelor's and master's theses, as well as my ENYGF 2025 paper and conference posters.
Title: Flexible nuclear district heating with the Teplator concept: ORC cogeneration, load shifting, and data center integration
Authors: Jan Ullmann, David Mašata, Jiří Závorka, Jana Jiřičková, Radek Škoda
Journal: Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, Volume 87, March 2026, 104912
Article page: View article via DOI
Decarbonizing the heat sector represents a major challenge of the energy transition, as European district heating networks remain largely dependent on fossil fuels. Nuclear energy, traditionally used for electricity generation, offers a scalable and emission-free alternative for urban heat supply. Recent developments have introduced small modular reactor (SMR) concepts tailored for district heating; however, their operational flexibility and economic performance under market-oriented operation remain insufficiently explored. This study presents the Czech SMR-based Teplator concept and evaluates two application scenarios using real operational data from the Pilsen district heating network. The first scenario combines nuclear heat supply with Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) cogeneration and short-term thermal load shifting, utilizing the inherent thermal capacity of the district heating network as short-term storage. The second scenario investigates data center integration, where waste heat recovery supports heat supply while flexible operation enhances electricity generation. The results show that thermal load shifting increases system revenues by up to 10.5 % in the Teplator-ORC configuration, while data center integration enhances electricity output by up to 11.7 % and improves overall system utilization and operational resilience. These findings demonstrate that nuclear district heating systems can operate beyond rigid baseload regimes and act as flexible components of integrated energy systems.
Open Article via DOIThis poster was presented at the Nuclear Days 2025 conference, showcasing recent research and developments in nuclear energy technologies.
For more information about the FISA-EURADWASTE2025, visit FISA-EURADWASTE 2025.
The submitted master's thesis deals with the overall design of the electrical part of the SMR TEPLATOR. The first part of the thesis describes critical systems requiring electrical power. Subsequently, the thesis presents the requirements for the design of nuclear facilities. It then addresses legislative and normative requirements for the power supply systems of nuclear facilities' own consumption. The thesis presents the power supply system of the Temelín NPP and CANDU reactor as a model for the subsequent design of the TEPLATOR power supply system, specially targeted to individual categories according to the importance of power supply in terms of uninterruptible power supply. The last part of the thesis focuses on designing and describing the concept of the own consumption power supply system. The emphasis in the master's thesis is placed on the system for connecting the most critical equipment in the SMR TEPLATOR technology, both in terms of sizing supply cables to equipment and the overall connection of the nuclear facility to the power grid. The thesis also focuses on controlling the voltage drop on the transformer during the start-up of the largest motor and motor group.
For more information about the FISA-EURADWASTE2025, visit FISA-EURADWASTE 2025.
Download FISA-EURADWASTE2025 2025 PosterThe submitted master’s thesis deals with the overall design of the electrical part of the SMR TEPLATOR. The first part of the thesis describes critical systems requiring electrical power. Subsequently, the thesis presents the requirements for the design of nuclear facilities. It then addresses legislative and normative requirements for the power supply systems of nuclear facilities’ own consumption. The thesis presents the power supply system of the Temelín NPP and CANDU reactor as a model for the subsequent design of the TEPLATOR power supply system, specially targeted to individual categories according to the importance of power supply in terms of uninterruptible power supply. The last part of the thesis focuses on designing and describing the concept of the own consumption power supply system. The emphasis in the master’s thesis is placed on the system for connecting the most critical equipment in the SMR TEPLATOR technology, both in terms of sizing supply cables to equipment and the overall connection of the nuclear facility to the power grid. The thesis also focuses on controlling the voltage drop on the transformer during the start-up of the largest motor and motor group.
Download Master's ThesisThis poster was presented at the Nuclear Days conference and focuses on fire safety in nuclear power plants.
In the first part, the presented work deals mainly with an overview of small modular reactors for district heating in the Czech Republic. The overview of reactors was complied on the basis of power diversification, and also with regard to the country of origin of the prototype. Part of this overview is a historical view of the first nuclear reactors for district heating (Ågesta a Secure). Furthermore, the district heating in the Czech Republic, the district heating mix and the way for decarbonisation and modernization in this area are analyzed. The work contains an overview of currently problematic parts of the heating industry (the price of emission allowances and gas). An insight into Innovation in energy storage options is added. The work tries to mediate the main requirements for defining suitable sites for a nuclear source and describes at what stage are historically approved, unrealized, sites for these sources. Part of the work is an approximate calculation of thermal energy, which individual reactors can supply with different power control during the heating season. Finally, the work tries to evaluate all the data obtained regarding the implementation of SMR, and determine which sites are the most suitable in terms of thermal energy demand for the location of the reactor.
Additionally, here is a poster in English from the Nuclear Days conference: