Citation

  • Chambers, D., Monabatti, M., Stolys, J., Ho, A., Dixon, I. (2024). Hydrogen Production using Nuclear Energy. Canadian Standards Association, Toronto, ON.

Executive Summary

As recognized in the Hydrogen Strategy for Canada, hydrogen may be expected to play an important role in Canada’s future energy mix. Across Canada and around the world, a number of projects are currently underway to establish hydrogen production from clean energy sources as a means to achieve climate objectives.

The goal of this research report is to help identify gaps and needs for standards-based solutions related to the production of hydrogen using nuclear energy, particularly the interface between nuclear power plants (NPPs) and hydrogen facilities. The report provides an overview of hydrogen production technologies and their compatibility with nuclear reactor technologies that are currently in operation or proposed for deployment in Canada. It also reviews policies, regulations, and standards currently available to establish the framework for hydrogen production at nuclear facilities.

The research conducted for this report included a review of scientific literature, technical studies, governmental agency reports, and relevant codes and standards. In addition, select relevant parties and specialists were interviewed to help identify areas where modified or new standards could support the development of hydrogen production from nuclear energy. To manage the complexity of the study, a subset of potentially available nuclear reactor technologies was considered, including CANDU NPPs currently operating in Canada and a range of small modular reactors that are in an advanced stage of development and licensing in Canada. This report describes various plausible combinations of hydrogen production facilities and NPPs for the production of hydrogen.

The findings suggest that a number of CSA standards could be further assessed for potential updating to address aspects related to the production of hydrogen using nuclear energy, particularly for topics related to safety analysis. In addition, new standards might be considered to further address the areas of interfacing of NPPs and hydrogen production facilities, and the siting of hydrogen production and storage facilities with respect to NPPs.

Related Publications

Authors

  • Doug Chambers, Arcadis Canada Inc.
  • Mehran Monabatti, Independent Consultant
  • John Stolys, Arcadis Canada Inc.
  • Arnon Ho, Arcadis Canada Inc.
  • Ian Dixon, Arcadis Canada Inc.

Project Advisory Panel

  • Lee Gardner, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories
  • Ramesh Sadhankar, Natural Resources Canada
  • Robert Stasko, Hydrogen Business Council
  • Shannon Bragg-Sitton, Idaho National Laboratory
  • Sorouche Mirmiran, Canadian Nuclear Association
  • Cherie Zou, CSA Group, Project Manager
  • Dragica Jeremic Nikolic, CSA Group
  • Larisa Logan, CSA Group

Acknowledgements

This research report is made possible by a financial contribution from Natural Resources Canada.

Disclaimer

This work has been produced by Arcadis and Canadian Standards Association and is owned by Canadian Standards Association. It is designed to provide general information in regard to the subject matter covered. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors. Arcadis and Canadian Standards Association is not responsible for any loss or damage which might occur as a result of your reliance or use of the content in this publication.

Copyright

© 2024 Canadian Standards Association. All Rights Reserved.