Groundbreaking project to unlock nuclear energy's role in hydrogen and clean fuels

Teesside University is working with the UK National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL) on an ambitious project to explore how nuclear energy can do more than generate electricity, by co-producing hydrogen, synthetic fuels, and heat for industrial and domestic applications.

The initiative will develop a scaled physical mock-up of a high-temperature heat loop, enabling researchers to model and control complex heat dynamics in systems where multiple applications, such as electricity generation, hydrogen production, chemical synthesis, and district heating, operate simultaneously.

Professor Kumar Patchigolla, Teesside University project lead, said: “This project is about unlocking the full potential of nuclear energy. We are moving beyond the traditional role of nuclear as a power generator to create integrated systems that can produce hydrogen, synthetic hydrocarbons, and heat for industrial clusters.

“By demonstrating how these coupled systems can operate flexibly and efficiently, we are laying the foundation for a new era of clean energy solutions that meet fluctuating demand and accelerate the transition to net zero.”

Dr Mark Bankhead, senior scientist at UKNNL, said: “High-temperature reactors offer a unique opportunity to decarbonise sectors beyond power generation. Our collaboration with Teesside University will provide the technical insights needed to make these concepts deployable and commercially viable as well as developing the skills required to support our mission to achieve decarbonisation using nuclear power.”

Dr Gari Harris, Director of Teesside University’s Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre (NZIIC), said: “Teesside is in prime position to lead the world in industrial decarbonisation. Our focus is on innovating locally, building locally, and training locally while collaborating globally. Projects such as this nuclear heat integration initiative demonstrate how we can harness advanced technologies to accelerate the transition to net zero and create a green legacy for future generations.”

The three year project will focus on: • Heat integration of nuclear power with solid oxide steam electrolysis for hydrogen production • Thermodynamic modelling to assess technology readiness and integration into existing plant designs • Hardware-in-the-loop testing to simulate operational scenarios, including power ramps, start-up/shutdown, and failure modes

By advancing these technologies, the partnership aims to position nuclear energy as a cornerstone of the clean energy transition, supporting hydrogen economies and sustainable fuel production.

---