US DoE backs hydrogen-from-nuclear power project with USD 20m

The US Department of Energy (DoE) is providing USD 20 million (EUR 17.3m) for a demonstration of technology to produce hydrogen from nuclear power, it announced last week.

The project will take place at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station in Phoenix, Arizona and will be led by PNW Hydrogen LLC. It will see six tonnes of stored hydrogen used to produce some 200 MWh electricity at times of peak demand. The hydrogen could also be used for the production of chemicals and other fuels.

DoE said the initiative will advance its [email protected] vision and support its Hydrogen Shot goal of USD 1 per 1 kilogram in one decade.

“Using nuclear power to create hydrogen energy is an illustration of DOE’s commitment to funding a full range of innovative pathways to create affordable, clean hydrogen, to meet DOE’s Hydrogen Shot goal, and to advance our transition to a carbon-free future,” commented Deputy Secretary of Energy David M Turk.

The technology could also provide a new product for nuclear plants besides electricity, the department noted.

The project has been awarded USD 12 million by DoE’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office and USD 8 million by DoE’s Office of Nuclear Energy.

The main recipient of the funding, PNW Hydrogen, will work with Idaho National Laboratory, National Energy Technology Laboratory, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, OxEon, Electric Power Research Institute, Arizona State University, University of California Irvine, Siemens, Xcel Energy, Energy Harbor and the LA Department of Water and Power.

(USD 1 = EUR 0.864)

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