Nuclear Production of Hydrogen, Fourth Information Exchange ...

ACTIVITIES OF NUCLEAR RESEARCH INSTITUTE REZ IN THE AREA OF HYDROGEN TECHNOLOGIES
NRI’s main task in the Zemships project is to develop a simplified mathematical model of ship
propulsion. This model has been used together with measurement data from typical driving loop to
optimise a driving strategy with regards to achieving high propulsions efficiency.
The second NRI’s task is to design a visualisation interface of the ship’s power systems, which
will be displayed for passengers on a large screen inside the boat. The interface task is to monitor and
visualise the system’s key parameters needed for operation as well as for conveying to the passengers
the principle of this technical solution and explaining its advantages compared with the existing ones
based on fossil fuels (Figure 4).
Figure 4: Zemships’ visualisation interface
Passengers will receive an explanation of the principles of all technological systems in a simple
form, first of all of the fuel system, fuel, battery and their collaboration. The immediate reduction of
the emissions (compared with similar fossil-based drive) as well as its total value over the whole
period of operation will be shown in user friendly form.
Study of hydrogen production in current nuclear power plants
The first study on this matter was developed in 2004. A new study has recently been prescribed by the
Ministry of Environment to be developed as a part of the environmental impact assessment study for
the new nuclear units in the Czech Republic. In addition to an overview of information available on
various ways for production and utilisation of hydrogen including required infrastructure, the 2004
study also estimated potential consumption of hydrogen in the Czech Republic (Figure 5). The study
also evaluated the technical and economical feasibility of production of hydrogen by electrolysis in the
current Czech nuclear power plants. Obviously, the economic competitiveness of hydrogen production
strongly depends on the price of electricity (about 75% of the production cost). The study concluded
that production of hydrogen using the commercial price of the electricity would not be profitable using
given price levels (electricity, hydrogen and oxygen), but it can be profitable using cost of electricity
produced in nuclear power plants (with calculated profit about 6-7%). Transportation of hydrogen to
the final consumers represented a significant component of the cost. Using grid power variations with
operation of a plant at full power can be a feasible option, but is not an easy task due to technological
limitations of the electrolyser: in fact only slow changes in the grid load can be utilised. In the future,
a higher share of nuclear power plants in the grid could, however, render this means of hydrogen
production feasible.
Hydrogen production by high temperature electrolysis
The project in preparation aims to research and develop high temperature electrolysis (HTE), which
could be used in combination with the Generation IV nuclear reactors. Since NRI already has helium
and lead loops, there is a plan to use them for demonstration and investigation of high temperature
electrolysis.
450 NUCLEAR PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN – © OECD/NEA 2010