[rhino369]

nuclear could replace the entire base load. If you factor in CO2 emission externality costs, it might even be cheaper to run nuclear above baseload. Build solar to help with peak usage and rely on gas for peaking as well.

The surplus could be used to pump water up damns or charge batteries. Or even to just pull co2 out of the air to compensate for car emissions.

It could provide very cheap night power for electric car owners. Worst case we could just waste the energy.

Once you accept that co2 emissions are an existential threat to the world, small inefficiencies are a small cost.