USNC Micro Modular Reactor for hybrid hydrogen production applications

Abstract

Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC®) is a technology company and developer of a commercial High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor (HTGR), the Micro Modular Reactor (MMR®). The MMR is a 4th generation small, modular, nuclear energy system that delivers safe, clean, and cost-effective electricity and heat to utilities, industry, and remote communities and mines. The MMR is based on USNC’s proprietary Fully Ceramic Micro-encapsulated (FCM®) fuel technology.

With a mission to develop and deploy nuclear-based power generating equipment that is safe, commercially competitive, and simple to use, USNC is committed to bringing reliable and secure nuclear energy to world markets.

The MMR is well suited to integrate with high-temperature hydrogen production technologies such as Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells (SOEC) and thermochemical cycles like the Copper Chlorine (Cu-Cl) Cycle. This solution offers opportunities for hybrid energy configurations through integration with renewables to optimize the cost of hydrogen production and downstream utilization of hydrogen to decarbonize various industries reliant on fossil fuels.

This paper will present case studies of the MMR integrated with renewables and high temperature hydrogen production technologies to produce cost effective hydrogen at the point of use and will include an evaluation of downstream integration opportunities, which potentially include ammonia and synthetic fuels production.