Nuclear Production of Hydrogen, Fourth Information Exchange ...

NUCLEAR H 2 PRODUCTION – A UTILITY PERSPECTIVE
Currently, nuclear energy is utilised in only one of the four major energy consumption sectors
(depicted in Figure 6) – the generation of electricity. In the United States and throughout most of the
globe, nuclear energy is used to generate electricity utilising light water reactor (LWR) technology
operating at temperatures around 300°C. Advanced HTGR can operate at 800°C and above and have
the potential to provide the high-temperature process heat and hydrogen required by major industrial
operations. Major industrial operations account for approximately 20% of the total United States
energy consumption and do so by burning premium fossil fuels. Nuclear-produced high temperature
process heat can displace the burning of fossil fuels to produce heat for chemical production, oil refining,
enhanced oil recovery, tar sands recovery, shale oil production and other major industrial processes.
Figure 6: United States primary energy consumption by source and sector – 2007
(Quadrillion BTU)
We believe that there are national interests served by extending the application of nuclear energy
into the broader energy sector. These national interests include:
• a reduction in the use of premium fossil fuels;
• a more effective utilisation of indigenous coal and uranium resources;
• a reduction in the dependence and costs associated with imported oil and natural gas;
• a reduction in carbon emissions.
Closing remarks
Entergy has a significant investment in nuclear energy and is genuinely interested in its future.
Of particular interest to us is the expanded use of nuclear energy in the broader energy market. While
the commercial viability and competitive economics of the advanced nuclear hydrogen production
technologies may be uncertain at this stage of development, they do hold the potential of facilitating
expanded use of large indigenous coal resources, reducing our imports of oil and natural gas, and
reducing carbon emissions. These potential benefits are clearly in the national interest and are key
elements in achieving energy security. As a consequence, we believe continued investigation and
development is warranted unless and until it becomes clear that commercial viability is unachievable
or unless and until a better alternative is identified.
NUCLEAR PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN – © OECD/NEA 2010 297