The North West Hydrogen Alliance (NWHA) has further bolstered its ranks with three new members looking at the potential of nuclear to support the roll out of hydrogen in the North West.
TÜV UK, Urenco and the University of Liverpool are the latest to join the NWHA, with their sights firmly set on the role of nuclear power in the production of low carbon hydrogen.
Nuclear power can be used to produce hydrogen through electrolysis, where electricity is used to split water molecules to extract hydrogen, or thermochemically using the high temperature heat from the reactor.
A benefit of nuclear power is its scalability and dispatchability which could help to improve the cost-efficiency of hydrogen production, alongside other technologies.
Professor Joe Howe, chair of the NWHA and executive director, Energy Research Institute at the University of Chester, said: “With a doubling of the hydrogen production target in the UK – and calls for this target to be even more ambitious – we’re going to need a breadth of different technologies to create hydrogen and reach the scale we need. Nuclear could play an important role and we’re really pleased to welcome three organisations at the forefront of this agenda to the Alliance. Leveraging a variety of low-carbon sources for hydrogen production will form another significant step in reaching net-zero. ”
TÜV UK Ltd by joining the Alliance, offers the region a diverse range of experience from working on key projects such as the Hamburg Port to developing advanced nuclear technologies to drive forward Nuclear New Build and SMRs.
Dr David Bradbury, Associate at TÜV UK Ltd, said: “TÜV UK Ltd. has welcomed the opportunity to join the North West Hydrogen Alliance (NWHA) to ensure we are fully engaged with advancements in the hydrogen sector, and to establish links with likeminded, innovative partners to expand the region’s huge potential. We intend to use our membership of NWHA, coupled with the Northern Nuclear Alliance (NNA) to support the ambition to produce hydrogen from nuclear heat through the development of High Temperature Gas Reactors.”
Urenco is a trusted, long term supplier to the nuclear industry and plays an essential role in the generation of reliable, low carbon electricity for consumers worldwide.
NWHA welcomes new members looking at role of nuclear in North West’s hydrogen economy
