United States – Bloom Energy and Idaho National Laboratory (INL) will test the use of nuclear energy to create clean hydrogen through Bloom’s electrolyzer.
This carbon-free hydrogen is obtained through electrolysis that is powered by nuclear generation. When the electric grid has ample power, rather than ramping down power generation, the electricity generated by nuclear plants can be used to produce cost-effective hydrogen in support of the burgeoning hydrogen economy.
Bloom Energy’s electrolyzer
Bloom Energy’s electrolyzer transforms water (or steam) into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen can then be pumped into the natural gas pipeline, stored and utilized later for power generation with a fuel cell, dispensed to fuel cell vehicles, or used in industrial activities that require significant amounts of hydrogen. Bloom Energy’s electrolyzer is more efficient than low-temperature electrolyzers, which means less electricity is used to make hydrogen. The steam for the electrolyzers can also be generated using the nuclear power plant’s thermal energy, increasing the overall efficiency of hydrogen generation even more.
INL will test Bloom Energy’s electrolyzers at the Dynamic Energy Testing and Integration Laboratory in Idaho where researchers can simulate steam and load following conditions as if it were already integrated with a nuclear power station. These simulations will provide the opportunity to model operations in a controlled environment.