HYDROGEN | CLIMATE


The role of nuclear in achieving net zero


Boris Schucht discusses how nuclear can support the energy transition and explains what Urenco is doing to help


CLIMATE CHANGE IS CLEARLY ONE of the most challenging societal issues of our generation. So far in the public debate the focus is very much on the decarbonisation of the electricity sector, even though it has some impressive results already. In the UK, for example, more than 40% of electricity


generated is from renewables, energy from waste and biofuels. However, compared to total primary energy consumption, this figure in the UK drops to 14% in 2019. In the EU the level is very similar. Roughly 2700TWh out of a primary energy consumption of 16,000TWh comes from renewables — just 17 per cent — and we should not forget that half of this is waste and biomass, whose potential for further growth is very limited. Nuclear’s share in the EU is in the same range at 14%. These figures demonstrate the scale of the problem and


we have less than 30 years to reduce carbon emissions to net zero. We cannot simply replace fossil fuels with renewables. To do this, we would need about 10 times as much renewable energy than we have built in the last 20 years. We will need all available CO2


free alternatives to achieve net zero — renewables and nuclear. Boris Schucht


Chief executive officer, Urenco


What will happen in the energy transition? We will see the electrification of sectors which traditionally have been fossil-fuel based, such as electric vehicles. However, not all sectors can be electrified. Sectors such as haulage, steel and cement production and the chemical industries are the least likely to do so. Electricity systems with a significant renewables share will require seasonal storage solutions, which are currently not available everywhere and at the necessary scale. These two drivers suggest that we will need a hydrogen


economy, with hydrogen used directly or refined into synthetic fuels. An example of how this is being increasingly recognised, is the UK Government’s recently published Hydrogen Strategy, which forecasts that 250- 460TWh of hydrogen could be needed in 2050, making up 20-35 per cent of UK final energy consumption. Urenco recently supported a new study by Aurora


Energy Research to investigate the benefits of deploying both renewables and nuclear in hydrogen production to support the energy transition and meet UK climate targets. The report, called Decarbonising Hydrogen in a Net Zero Economy, has been supported by the IAEA, EdF and Lucid Catalyst and it is available on Urenco’s website. In Aurora’s models all scenarios demonstrate that


renewables and nuclear together are able to provide the hydrogen volumes needed for net zero in 2050. On the important and often contentious point of cost, the study shows there is an important role for current and


advanced nuclear power plants to keep energy affordable and reliable. Combining hydrogen and nuclear leads to competitive costs and using heat and electricity together from a nuclear power plant for hydrogen production provides a clear cost advantage. This is possible on ongoing or currently planned projects like Sizewell C. Long term, high temperature reactors could compete with so called “blue hydrogen” and negate the need for investment in carbon capture and storage solutions for natural gas.


The study shows that systems deploying large volumes


of renewables and nuclear could reduce the net present value of total system spend by 6-9% (£40-60bn) to 2050. In the core scenarios modelled, cumulative greenhouse gas emissions to 2050 can be reduced by 80MtCO2


e and gas usage in power and hydrogen by 8k TWht.


In Aurora’s models, all scenarios demonstrate that renewables and nuclear together are able to provide the hydrogen volumes needed for net zero in 2050


Of course the value chain for hydrogen needs to be


built up. One area where we are currently active — through NPROXX, a subsidiary of our joint venture ETC – is in the producing hydrogen pressure vessels. NPROXX’s products are in operational use and demand is increasing quickly. For example filling stations in several areas are using storage to refuel buses with hydrogen. They are fully fuelled within ten minutes and have a range of 350km while emitting only water at the point of use. We are also contributing to the energy transition by developing advanced fuels for future reactor designs. And, to be credible in the net zero debate, Urenco is strongly committed to reducing our own carbon emissions. We have joined the Climate Pledge (partner organisation of the UN’s Race to Zero Campaign) and have undertaken to achieve net zero carbon emissions in advance of 2040. This is 10 years ahead of the UK’s net zero by 2050 target. We will continue to support societies and policy makers in this critical work, paving the way for the energy industry to deliver on net zero. ■


More information about the new study by Aurora Energy Research can be found at urenco.com


www.neimagazine.com | October 2021 | 19


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