The Role of Nuclear Power for Sustainable Clean Hydrogen Production

The successful establishment of a clean hydrogen society requires a large-scale, stable, and economically viable hydrogen supply. However, in countries with relatively limited renewable energy resources, such as Korea, achieving both economic feasibility and a sufficient supply of green hydrogen remains a significant challenge. To overcome these limitations, hydrogen production utilizing electricity and heat from nuclear power plants has been proposed as a viable alternative. Several leading nations have already incorporated nuclear hydrogen into their national hydrogen strategies and are actively conducting demonstration projects. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (KHNP), Korea’s largest power generation company and the primary operator of nuclear power plants, has been engaged in research and development across the entire value chain for nuclear-powered clean hydrogen production. Recently, KHNP initiated a 10 MW scale hydrogen production project aimed at advancing the commercialization of nuclear hydrogen. By integrating operational nuclear power plants with electrolysis facilities, hydrogen can be produced during periods of power curtailment, thereby enhancing the flexibility of nuclear power as a balancing resource for electricity supply and demand. This approach not only stabilizes the power grid but also ensures a continuous and cost-effective hydrogen supply. This paper outlines KHNP’s clean energy R&D activities and strategies for stable and economically sustainable production of clean hydrogen from nuclear energy. [Acknowledgments: This work was supported by the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) and the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE) of the Republic of Korea (RS-2023-00234707)]