--- title: Nuclear Hydrogen Using High-Temperature Electrolysis and Light-Water Reactors for Peak Electricity Production description: Explore how light-water reactors and high-temperature electrolysis can be used to produce hydrogen for peak electricity production, enhancing efficiency and cost-effectiveness in a low-carbon world. --- [![CAnes logo\[96\]](https://canes.mit.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/CAnes%20logo%5B96%5D.png?width=300&height=91&name=CAnes%20logo%5B96%5D.png "CAnes logo[96]")](https://canes.mit.edu/) [![canes](https://canes.mit.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/canes.png?width=300&height=91&name=canes.png "canes")](https://canes.mit.edu/) [![](https://canes.mit.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/canes.png?width=500&height=152&name=canes.png)](https://canes.mit.edu/) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. - [the center](https://canes.mit.edu/center) - [science + engineering](https://canes.mit.edu/science-engineering) - [E+ Lab](https://canes.mit.edu/epluslab) - [publications](https://canes.mit.edu/reports) - [events](https://canes.mit.edu/events) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. # Nuclear Hydrogen Using High-Temperature Electrolysis and Light-Water Reactors for Peak Electricity Production by [MIT CANES](https://canes.mit.edu/media/author/mit-canes) | Sep 19, 2024 Report Date: April 2009 Appendices: No Abstract In a carbon-dioxide constrained world, the primary methods to produce electricity (nuclear, solar, wind, and fossil fuels with carbon sequestration) have low operating costs and high capital costs. To minimize the cost of electricity, these plants must operate at maximum capacity; however, the electrical outputs do not match changing electricity demands with time. A system to produce intermediate and peak electricity is described that uses light-water reactors (LWRs) and high-temperature electrolysis. At times of low electricity demand the LWR provides steam and electricity to a high-temperature steam electrolysis system to produce hydrogen and oxygen that are stored. At times of high electricity demand, the reactor produces electricity for the electrical grid. Additional peak electricity is produced by combining the hydrogen and oxygen by operating the high-temperature electrolysis units in reverse as fuel cells or using an oxy-hydrogen steam cycle. The storage and use of hydrogen and oxygen for intermediate and peak power production reduces the capital cost, increases the efficiency of the peak power production systems, and enables nuclear energy to be used to meet daily, weekly, and seasonal changes in electrical demand. The economic viability is based on the higher electricity prices paid for peak-load electricity. Significant development work is required before the technologies will be commercially deployable.   Program: NES: Nuclear Energy and Sustainability Type:     TR  RPT. No.: 10 [BACK TO THE CENTER->](https://canes.mit.edu/center) Topics:   [NES Nuclear Energy and Sustainability](https://canes.mit.edu/media/tag/nes-nuclear-energy-and-sustainability) Recent posts [Nuclear Energy Dominance: Can the US do it Alone?](https://canes.mit.edu/media/energy-dominance-can-the-us-do-it-alone) [Assessment of the Lifecycle Cost of Nuclear Grade Coolants for Advanced Reactors](https://canes.mit.edu/media/assessment-of-the-lifecycle-cost-of-nuclear-grade-coolants) [Bilge Yildiz and Jacopo Buongiorno Take Nuclear-Fueled AI to TEDx](https://canes.mit.edu/media/bilge-yildiz-and-jacopo-buongiorno-take-nuclear-fueled-ai-to-tedx) [Levelized Cost of Fuel (LCOF) Studies for Microreactors Using TRISO Fuel in Hydride and Beryllium-based composite Moderators in Open and Closed Fuel Cycles](https://canes.mit.edu/media/a-preliminary-study-on-the-feasibility-of-nuclear-batteries-for-offshore-power-generation-0) [A Preliminary Study on the Feasibility of Nuclear Batteries for Offshore Power Generation](https://canes.mit.edu/media/a-preliminary-study-on-the-feasibility-of-nuclear-batteries-for-offshore-power-generation) [![CAnes logo\[96\]](https://canes.mit.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/CAnes%20logo%5B96%5D.png?width=3300&height=1000&name=CAnes%20logo%5B96%5D.png "CAnes logo[96]")](https://canes.mit.edu/) 77 Massachusetts Avenue, 24-215 Cambridge, MA 02139 [canes@mit.edu](mailto:canes@mit.edu) - [ACCESSIBILITY](https://accessibility.mit.edu/) - [MEDIA](https://canes.mit.edu/center-media) - [CENTER](https://canes.mit.edu/center) - [EVENTS](https://canes.mit.edu/events) - [MAP](http://whereis.mit.edu/?go=24) - [MIT CCSE](https://cse.mit.edu/) - [MIT ENERGY INITIATIVE](https://energy.mit.edu/) - [MIT MECHE](http://meche.mit.edu/) - [MIT NRL](http://nrl.mit.edu/) - [MIT NSE](http://web.mit.edu/nse/) - [MIT PSFC](https://www.psfc.mit.edu/) © 2024 Massachusetts Institute of Technology   |  Privacy Policy