Sustainability assessment of hydrogen production based on nuclear energy.

Hydrogen is expected to be a key energy carrier in the global energy transition. A promising method of hydrogen production is water electrolysis powered by nuclear energy. This energy source can also be used in other hydrogen production technologies, such as copper-chlorine cycle. Proper comparison of various hydrogen production methods from the sustainability perspective requires the use of analysis in a global balance boundary. The paper presents a comparison of sustainability of various hydrogen generation methods, with emphasis on the methods exploiting nuclear energy. Instead of local energy efficiency, the index of Thermo-Ecological Cost (TEC) is proposed. TEC is a measure of the depletion of non-renewable resources burdening the production of a given product. Other criteria used in the assessment are: availability of energy supply (capacity factor), cumulative greenhouse gas emissions and resources to production ratio. In addition, water electrolysis and copper-chlorine cycle have been considered cogeneration processes, providing oxygen as a useful by-product. Taking into account all the criteria suggests that obtaining hydrogen with the use of nuclear technologies will provide a fair, long-term compromise compared to other hydrogen generation technologies. • Sustainability of H 2 production methods utilizing nuclear energy is investigated. • Technologies are evaluated in global balance boundary using Thermo-Ecological Cost. • Multiple criteria are applied to properly compare hydrogen production methods. • Nuclear-based H 2 can be considered more sustainable than renewable-based H 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]