Nuclear Hydrogen Production: Enhancing the Climate Change - Nuclear Energy Nexus*

Nuclear energy is an inevitable option for effectively addressing climate change and other associated effects of global warming. Its limited lifecycle carbon emission makes nuclear energy a plausible solution when a clean-energy, low-carbon economy; and/or the increasingly forecasted demand for electricity is worldwide required. The potential of nuclear energy for climate change mitigation can be boosted when the cogeneration option is considered. Shifting to hydrogen economy is a potential solution to ensure energy security, supply of low-cost energy with environmental conservation. Nuclear power plants coupled to electrolysis, thermochemical, or hybrid water splitting plants is considered as a promising route for large-scale carbon-free hydrogen production.

There are several countries pursuing intensive R&D programs for nuclear hydrogen production. The IAEA program on non-electric applications of nuclear energy provides support to Member States on nuclear hydrogen production, along with other non-electric applications, through various information exchange forums, coordinated research projects, and technical publications. In addition, the IAEA developed the Hydrogen Economic Evaluation Programme (HEEP) for performing economic analyses for nuclear hydrogen production processes to support decision makers and stakeholders in Member States considering nuclear hydrogen production. It also produced the Nuclear Hydrogen Toolkit which provides access to all outcomes of the IAEA conducted activities on the topic.

In this talk, the nuclear energy-climate change nexus will be discussed. The status and role of nuclear hydrogen in enhancing the global hydrogen economy will be highlighted.