Monitoring and safety assessment of developments in the use of nuclear process heat for hydrogen production

As part of the decarbonization of industrial processes and the mobility and transport sectors, hydrogen is emerging as an increasingly important climate-friendly energy source. Some countries are exploring the use of nuclear process heat for hydrogen production, particularly in high-temperature reactor concepts. Using nuclear heat sources can be a technically efficient option for hydrogen production processes that require high temperatures. However, this results in close spatial and technical coupling between nuclear and non-nuclear plant components. This new system integration raises specific safety concerns regarding the protection of the reactor plant and possible repercussions from storing large quantities of hydrogen nearby. This research project aims to systematically document international developments in using nuclear process heat for hydrogen production and evaluate them from a safety perspective. The project will provide an overview of existing technical concepts and plans for practical implementation, analyze possible risks and interfaces, and classify them according to international nuclear regulations.