The innovative approach will allow clean hydrogen to serve as a source for zero-carbon electricity which could help provide nuclear power a lifeline as nations look for a more sustainable future.
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Read more: Nuclear plants could be the ‘perfect component’ for green hydrogen production
The Arizona-based project, being led by PNW Hydrogen, will produce clean hydrogen at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station with 6 tonnes of stored hydrogen set to be utilised to produce around 200MWh of electricity at times of high demand.
A key aspect of the innovative project is that it will also provide insights into integrating nuclear energy with hydrogen production technologies to allow future large-scale deployments.
David Turk, US Deputy Secretary of Energy, said, “Developing and deploying clean hydrogen can be a crucial part of the path to achieving a net-zero carbon future and combatting climate change.
“Using nuclear power to create hydrogen energy is an illustration of DOE’s commitment to funding a full range of innovative pathways to create affordable, clean hydrogen, to meet DOE’s Hydrogen Shot goal, and to advance our transition to a carbon-free future.”
Kyrsten Sinema, US Senator for Arizona, said, “Arizona continues to lead the nation in clean hydrogen energy innovation, and today’s Department of Energy investment will help fuel continued progress.
“I am committed to supporting state-of-the-art investments to secure our energy future, including by passing the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which provides $9.5 billion for national clean hydrogen hubs, hydrogen manufacturing and recycling programs, and programs to lower the cost of clean hydrogen.
“I look forward to working with the Department and Arizonans to encourage such investments going forward.”
Nuclear energy plants could help accelerate hydrogen adoption with reduced costs
With the breakthrough of hydrogen technology in various decarbonisation strategies across the world, nuclear reactors could be given a new lease of life by providing almost perfect conditions to produce green hydrogen on a massive scale.
It is not often you find two products that, ethically, are at opposite ends of the spectrum but complement each other so significantly. The reputational facelift that nuclear power has needed since it was first introduced in the last century could be realised with the introduction of technologies that utilise by-products of nuclear power to generate alternative fuel sources such as hydrogen.
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