The Potential For Small Modular Nuclear Reactors To Support The Hydrogen Economy

Abstract

Small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) offer the promise of firm, low-carbon power generation. Hydrogen gas is a proven energy carrier with storage potential. This research analyzes three of the latest SMR designs and two of the more current and emerging technologies for commercial hydrogen production. An analysis of the levelized cost of nuclear-based hydrogen production, and its demand in support of climate change mitigation, is complemented by a comparison of CO2-eq emissions between hydrogen produced from SMRs versus natural gas. The Hydrogen Economy Evaluation Program (HEEP), developed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), was used for the cost analysis. Techno-economic parameters included vendor-specific designs, costs, and operating periods in addition to discount and interest rates. The total mass of nuclear-based hydrogen required to curb global warming, and the subsequent CO2-eq emissions produced, were estimated from public data and previous life cycle studies of SMR and natural gas hydrogen production.