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NUCLEAR HYDROGEN USING HIGH TEMPERATURE ELECTROLYSIS AND LIGHT WATER REACTORS FOR PEAK ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION
Nuclear hydrogen using high temperature electrolysis
and light water reactors for peak electricity production
Charles Forsberg, Mujid Kazimi
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
Abstract
In a carbon-dioxide-constrained world, the primary methods to produce electricity (nuclear, solar, wind
and fossil fuels with carbon sequestration) have low operating costs and high capital costs. To minimise
the cost of electricity, these plants must operate at maximum capacity; however, the electrical outputs
do not match changing electricity demands with time. A system to produce intermediate and peak
electricity is described that uses light water reactors (LWR) and high temperature electrolysis. At times
of low electricity demand the LWR provides steam and electricity to a high temperature steam
electrolysis system to produce hydrogen and oxygen that are stored. At times of high electricity
demand, the reactor produces electricity for the electrical grid. Additional peak electricity is produced
by combining the hydrogen and oxygen by operating the high temperature electrolysis units in reverse
as fuel cells or using an oxy-hydrogen steam cycle. The storage and use of hydrogen and oxygen for
intermediate and peak power production reduces the capital cost, increases the efficiency of the peak
power production systems, and enables nuclear energy to be used to meet daily, weekly and seasonal
changes in electrical demand. The economic viability is based on the higher electricity prices paid for
peak-load electricity.
NUCLEAR PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN – © OECD/NEA 2010 155