It is DOE'S function, not want. Investment in technological development to bring costs down usually works. Where's the problem? Name one production line energy source that has not experienced cost reduction from the first time the pilot plants were built. Production cost of oil went so low, producers nearly bankrupted themselves. Many did.
Summer demand is usually the maximum driving load, at least in most parts of the world, not winter.
Demand tracks with solar production when demand is cooling. Demand does not track solar production when demand is heat. Wind can track both, but maybe not. But it appears that you are only considering climate conditioning demand. There are other demands. It has been reported that 30% of US total electricity demand is used for pumping and a lot of that can be done either on a 24h basis, or when power, especially cheaper power, can be made available.
Pumped storage does not require coupling with nuclear. Its biggest drawback, other than habitat change, is lack of suitable sites having sufficient water, large elevation change and being near to demands.
Nuclear works well, until it doesn't.
Problems at China nuclear power plant are serious enough to warrant shutdown, French co-owner warns