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Why did hydrogen production from nuclear power suddenly become hot?

2023-02-28

In the past, the severity of the fallout has led countries to put on hold plans to speed up construction of nuclear plants and start winding down their use. But last year, nuclear power was on the rise again.

On the one hand, the Russia-Ukraine conflict has led to changes in the whole energy supply chain, which has also encouraged many "nuclear renunciators" to give up one after another and reduce the total demand for traditional energy as much as possible by restarting nuclear power.

Hydrogen, on the other hand, is central to plans to decarbonise heavy industry in Europe. The rise of nuclear power has also promoted the recognition of hydrogen production by nuclear energy in European countries.

Last year, an analysis by the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) entitled "The Role of Nuclear Power in the Hydrogen Economy: Cost and Competitiveness" concluded that given current gas price volatility and overall policy ambitions, the prospect of nuclear power in the hydrogen economy is a significant opportunity if appropriate initiatives are taken.

NEA mentioned that research and development to improve the efficiency of hydrogen production should be increased in the medium term, as "methane pyrolysis or hydrothermal chemical cycling, possibly combined with fourth-generation reactor technology, are promising low-carbon options that can reduce the primary energy demand for hydrogen production".

It is understood that the main benefits of nuclear power for hydrogen production include lower production costs and reduced emissions. While green hydrogen is produced using renewable energy at a capacity factor of 20 to 40 per cent, pink hydrogen will use nuclear power at a capacity factor of 90 per cent, reducing costs.

NEA's central conclusion is that nuclear power can produce low hydrocarbons on a large scale at a competitive cost.

In addition, the International Atomic Energy Agency has proposed a roadmap for commercial deployment of nuclear hydrogen production, and the industry believes that the construction of an industrial base and supply chain related to nuclear hydrogen production is in the pipeline.

At present, the major developed countries in the world are actively carrying out the research and development of nuclear energy hydrogen production project, trying to enter the hydrogen energy economic society as soon as possible. Our country is actively promoting the development of hydrogen production technology from nuclear energy and has entered a commercial demonstration stage.

Hydrogen production from nuclear energy using water as raw material can not only realize no carbon emission in the process of hydrogen production, but also expand the use of nuclear energy, improve the economic competitiveness of nuclear power plants, and create conditions for the harmonious development of nuclear power plants and renewable energy. The nuclear fuel resources available for development on the earth can provide more than 100,000 times more energy than fossil fuels. The combination of the two will open the way for sustainable development and hydrogen economy, and promote green development and lifestyle. In the current situation, it has broad application prospects. In other words, hydrogen production from nuclear energy may be an important part of the clean energy future.

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