UK technical and strategic nuclear consultancy Equilibrion has been appointed by Northern Gas Networks (NGN) and Wales & West Utilities (WWU), supported by Energy Innovation Centre (EIC), to lead a study, the SHyNE project, on how nuclear-enabled hydrogen could help to solve the UK’s Net Zero energy challenge.
Equilibrion will explore how deployment of nuclear-enabled hydrogen production could support the repurposing of the UK’s existing extensive gas network for low-carbon hydrogen. Nuclear-enabled hydrogen is recognised by the UK’s Low-Carbon Hydrogen Standard and uses the heat and electricity from nuclear reactors to generate hydrogen.
ShyNE will develop a deployment roadmap for capacity introduction to meet user demand, looking at estimated production rates, a geographical analysis that considers potential nuclear new-build sites in the context of existing infrastructure, customer demand centres and a techno-economic analysis.
Equilibrion said advancements in nuclear technology, particularly with small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced modular reactors (AMRs) offer flexibility and scalable deployment options that support a robust and resilient clean energy strategy. SHyNE aims to build on these developments by assessing how improved siting flexibility and financing methods for reactors can accelerate nuclear deployment to support an energy transition and reduce costs for consumers.
The project will also assess how a NPP, twinned with electrolytic hydrogen production, could provide flexible electricity output to help balance the grid. Realising these opportunities is expected to attract major inward investment, creating jobs and driving social, economic and industrial benefits for communities.
Allan Simpson, Chief Technologist at Equilibrion, said: “Nuclear-enabled hydrogen represents a powerful, yet largely untapped, opportunity to drive the UK’s journey to Net Zero at a significant scale and for the first time both the nuclear and hydrogen sectors can fully appreciate how working together can be a game-changer to the availability of low-cost electrolytic hydrogen and expand opportunities for organisations in both sectors. We are committed to enhancing the opportunities for collaboration between the hydrogen and nuclear sectors for mutual benefit.”
Matthew Hindle, WWU’s Head of Net Zero & Sustainability emphasised that low carbon hydrogen “needs to play an important role in supporting the UK’s energy transition – including blending into existing natural gas supplies, or in its pure form for industry, transport, electricity generation and homes”. He added: “To reliably produce sufficient hydrogen to meet these demands, it will be vital to diversify production methods and increase the levels of firm capacity needed for predictable supply… SHyNE can support the reuse and adaptation of existing infrastructure to reduce costs, while accelerating the energy transition and enhancing energy security.”
According to NGN Innovation Manager Lewis Kirkwood, hydrogen “can be a key enabler of accelerated decarbonisation for industry, transport and heat, and as an energy network it’s critical we understand all the angles for hydrogen production and what’s required to ready our infrastructure”.
