Anagrafe della ricerca

GREEN-ENERGY - HydroGen pRoduction from nuclEar ENergy for European Net zEro emissions stRateGY

Durata:
04/02/2025 - 03/02/2027
Responsabile scientifico:
Tipo di progetto:
Ricerca Nazionale - PRIN
Ente finanziatore:
MINISTERO (Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca)
Codice identificativo progetto:
2022RL5TKX
Ruolo PoliTo:
Partner

Abstract

The sustainability of the energy production is a key issue that is nowadays under the spotlight. The ambitious objective of the European Union to be climate-neutral by 2050 requires the decarbonization of the transportation sector and the industrial processes. The role of hydrogen as energy carrier has been identified as crucial in various carbon neutral pathways. The potentiality for decarbonation offered by hydrogen requires that its production is powered by low-carbon sources, and nuclear energy, along with renewable sources, offers the opportunity to achieve this goal. In this context, the GREEN-ENERGY (HydroGen pRoduction from nuclEar ENergy for European Net zEro emissions stRateGY) project aims at studying the feasibility of hydrogen production from nuclear energy, assessing the design and safety aspects of the coupling of a nuclear reactor with a hydrogen production plant. The project focuses on the solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) as a pathway to H2 generation, coupled to a nuclear reactor suitable to reach the requested temperature ranges. A proper selection of the reference nuclear system will be made considering both current light water reactor technology (which allows shorter industrial deployment) and Generation-IV concepts. The design of the electrolyzer plant will be carried out, defining and optimizing the entire process flow. A dynamic model of the nuclear-hydrogen system will be developed to simulate the capability of the plant to shift from the electricity production to the hydrogen production when required from the electrical grid needs. The latter information will be provided through the development of long-term scenarios on electricity demand and production up to 2050. According to the safety culture characterizing the nuclear sector, a safety assessment of the nuclear-hydrogen system will be performed to identify possible critical points associated with the coupled behavior. Given the innovative features of the plant, a methodology for embedding safety provisions in the design phase will be applied, along with the identification of safety-relevant events and associated risks. A deterministic safety transient analysis will complement the investigation to prove that the safety functions of the nuclear power plant are not compromised in case of malfunctions coming from the hydrogen plant. The outcomes of this project will open a pathway for the effective utilization of the nuclear source in the so-called hydrogen economy. This will allow the creation of new jobs and business opportunities for the Italian hydrogen industry, and the acceleration of the technological development both in SOEC and nuclear engineering fields. In addition, the project will help in addressing the potentialities in such non-electric application of Generation-IV nuclear reactors, as the lead-cooled fast reactor, currently under study at the European level and with a strong involvement of Italian companies and research entities.

Strutture coinvolte

Partner

  • POLITECNICO DI MILANO - Coordinatore
  • POLITECNICO DI TORINO - AMMINISTRAZIONE CENTRALE
  • UNIVERSITA' DEGLI STUDI DI PALERMO
  • UNIVERSITA' DI ROMA "LA SAPIENZA"

Parole chiave

Settori ERC

PE8_6 - Energy processes engineering
PE7_12 - Electrical energy production, distribution, application

Obiettivi di Sviluppo Sostenibile (Sustainable Development Goals)

Obiettivo 7. Assicurare a tutti l’accesso a sistemi di energia economici, affidabili, sostenibili e moderni

Budget

Costo totale progetto: € 243.171,00
Contributo totale progetto: € 184.984,00
Costo totale PoliTo: € 48.619,00
Contributo PoliTo: € 34.281,00