Optimized clean hydrogen production using nuclear small modular reactor and concentrated solar power as a renewable energy source

Abstract

According to current predictions, hydrogen will serve as a key fuel and energy source by decreasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In this research an integral Pressurized Water Reactor-type Small Modular Reactor (iPWR-type SMR), connected to a molten-salt based Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plant, producing electricity and hydrogen is investigated specifically, by modeling and simulations of a Nuclear-Renewable Hybrid Energy System (N-RHES). Optimization of design and functional variables/parameters, as complexity in system engineering, are considered as scenarios. The major results of this research is that multi-objective optimization provides recommended, operational scenarios to obtain preferred results in spite of variability of sunshine in terms of objectives, which are maximizing total profit and total heat equivalent. This research carried out based on modeling and simulations on MATLAB and Genetic Algorithms (GAs) for optimization is key for real life applications. Moreover, in terms of SMR safety-in-design, important time slots are given and explained in this thesis.