Position Paper On Non-Electric Applications Of Nuclear-Heat – A GIF Priority - 2022
Position paper by the GIF Non Electric Applications of Nuclear Heat Task Force (NEANHTF).
The Generation IV International Forum (GIF) highlights non-electric applications of nuclear heat as a priority for Generation IV reactor technologies. This position paper, from November 2022, emphasizes the importance of decarbonising industrial heat supply and hydrogen production.
Nuclear energy can significantly reduce CO2 emissions in hard-to-abate sectors due to its flexible deployment and ability to provide heat and hydrogen. Generation IV technologies—Gas-cooled Fast Reactor (GFR), Lead-cooled Fast Reactor (LFR), Molten Salt Reactor (MSR), Supercritical Water-cooled Reactor (SCWR), Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor (SFR), and Very High Temperature Reactor (VHTR)—were chosen for their sustainability, economic, safety, and reliability features.
Non-electric applications of nuclear heat can decarbonise industrial processes and potentially transportation. Hydrogen production using nuclear heat and electricity is effective for energy storage, fuel cell vehicles, and synthetic fuels. Economic considerations must include CO2 reduction targets, heat decarbonisation, and large-scale hydrogen generation.
Fluctuating natural gas prices and increasing carbon regulations favor nuclear energy, especially for high-temperature applications like desalination, district heating, and industrial process heat.
The GIF's Non-Electric Applications of Nuclear Heat (NEANH) Task Force equips stakeholders with tools to design and optimise systems integrating nuclear heat. Advanced nuclear systems must offer operational and product flexibility to support renewable-heavy energy systems.