NuScale Power has thrown down a gauntlet, challenging the energy sector to reimagine how nuclear power can drive multiple industrial processes. The small modular reactor (SMR) developer has unveiled ambitious research programs that could revolutionize water desalination, hydrogen production, and brine waste management. The stakes are high, and the potential impacts are profound.
At the heart of NuScale’s vision is its 77-MW Power Module (NPM), a pressurized water reactor designed to flexibly provide power, steam, and thermal energy. The NPM’s unique design, with its shared below-grade pool for passive cooling and security, and its ability to operate off-grid, makes it a versatile tool for industrial applications. But NuScale isn’t stopping at power generation. It’s pushing the boundaries of what nuclear energy can do.
The company’s partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has yielded a suite of innovative applications. One of the most intriguing is the use of the NPM’s thermal output to drive a non-electrolytic hydrogen production method. This process converts brine-derived salts into sodium formate, a stable hydrogen carrier that can be decomposed thermally to release hydrogen on demand. This approach, NuScale claims, drives down energy and water usage while lowering costs.
But the innovation doesn’t stop at hydrogen production. NuScale’s Integrated Energy System also includes a reverse osmosis desalination process. A single NPM, coupled with a state-of-the-art desalination system, could yield approximately 150 million gallons of clean water per day without generating carbon dioxide. Larger configurations could provide desalinated water for entire cities.
The implications of these developments are vast. In a world grappling with water scarcity and the need for clean energy, NuScale’s technology could be a game-changer. It could provide a sustainable solution for water-stressed regions, while also contributing to the global push for clean hydrogen.
However, NuScale’s ambitions don’t come without challenges. The company will need to navigate regulatory hurdles, secure industrial partnerships, and prove the economic viability of its Integrated Energy System. But if NuScale can overcome these obstacles, it could reshape the energy landscape.
The company’s efforts to develop an Integrated Energy System simulator at its headquarters in Corvallis, Oregon, is a step in the right direction. This simulator allows NuScale to dynamically evaluate and optimize different configurations for a wide range of industrial applications. It’s a testament to NuScale’s commitment to innovation and its willingness to challenge the status quo.
NuScale’s research programs are a bold move, but they’re not without precedent. The company has a history of pushing the boundaries of SMR technology. Its design certification for a 50-MWe NPM in January 2023 was a significant milestone, and its ongoing research into hydrogen production methods is a testament to its innovative spirit.
But NuScale’s ambitions extend beyond innovation. The company is actively seeking industrial partnerships to scale deployment of its technology. It’s a strategic move that could accelerate the adoption of its Integrated Energy System and bring its vision of a sustainable, multi-purpose energy system to life.
Dr. José Reyes, co-founder and chief technology officer of NuScale Power, summed up the company’s vision when he said, “What we have found is a win-win-win aimed at addressing water scarcity, brine remediation, and hydrogen production. We believe our breakthrough innovation can meet our global water challenges while providing clean, carbon-free energy.” It’s a bold claim, but one that NuScale seems determined to back up.
The energy sector is watching. NuScale’s research programs could spark a new wave of innovation, challenging norms and sparking debate. They could also pave the way for a more sustainable, multi-purpose energy system. But only time will tell if NuScale’s vision becomes a reality. One thing is certain, though: the energy sector is in for an exciting ride.