The U.S. Department of Energy will provide up to $3.5 million for hydrogen production research and development (R&D), for integration with nuclear energy production, the department announced Thursday.
According to the announcement, many utilities in the country are now considering integrating nuclear energy production with other energy sources to optimize thermal and electrical energy production.
The department emphasized that, 'using electricity and heat generated at nuclear energy facilities to produce hydrogen via extremely efficient high temperature electrolysis is one promising integration approach for generating low cost hydrogen'.
Three projects were chosen as the recipients of fuel cell technology funding for R&D in hydrogen production materials.
- FuelCell Energy of Danbury, Connecticut will receive $1.5 million for R&D of materials aimed at reducing the operating temperature of solid-oxide high-temperature electrolysis (HTE) to levels more compatible with advanced nuclear energy heat sources.
- Saint Gobain of Northboro, Massachusetts will receive up to $1million to adapt its all-ceramic stack technology to HTE to focus on addressing fundamental durability challenges.
- West Virginia University of Morgantown, West Virginia will receive up to $1 million to develop new HTE materials capable of durable and efficient operation at temperatures compatible with nuclear energy heat sources.
By Gulsen Cagatay
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr