Nuclear–Renewable Synergies for Clean Energy Solutions
Dec. 18, 2020
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This story was originally published on JISEA.org.
The definition of clean energy does not always include nuclear energy, but it is one of the world s largest sources of low-carbon electricity, second only to hydropower. When considering greenhouse gas emissions, nuclear has the potential to be a key part of clean energy solutions.
Since 2011, the Joint Institute for Strategic Energy Analysis (JISEA) has explored the potential for increased integration of nuclear and renewables in the evolving power grid. When we think outside of the box with nuclear energy, there are many
PNNL-led team designs highly active cobalt-based PGM-free catalyst for fuel cells
A multi-institutional research team led by materials scientists from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has designed a highly active and durable catalyst that doesn’t rely on costly platinum group metals (PGM) to spur the necessary chemical reaction.
The new catalyst contains cobalt interspersed with nitrogen and carbon. When compared to a similarly structured catalyst made from iron another promising, well-studied platinum substitute the team found that the cobalt catalyst achieved a similar reaction but with four times the durability. The research is published in
Nature Catalysis.
The development of catalysts free of platinum-group metals and with both a high activity and durability for the oxygen reduction reaction in proton exchange membrane fuel cells is a grand challenge. Here we report an atomically dispersed Co and N co-doped carbon (Co–N–C) catalyst with a high catalytic ox
Stronger cobalt for fuel cells
PNNL leads effort to improve reaction activity, increase durability of cobalt as a fuel cell catalyst
DOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
By Mary Ann Showalter
A multi-institutional research team led by materials scientists from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has designed a highly active and durable catalyst that doesn t rely on costly platinum to spur the necessary chemical reaction.
The new catalyst contains cobalt interspersed with nitrogen and carbon. When compared to a similarly structured catalyst made from iron another promising, well-studied platinum substitute, the team found that the cobalt catalyst achieved a similar reaction but with four times the durability.
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Xcel Energy, INL to use nuclear energy for clean hydrogen production; HTSE
Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy will work with Idaho National Laboratory to demonstrate a system that uses a nuclear plant’s steam and electricity to split water. (Earlier post.) The resulting hydrogen will initially be used at the power plant, but it could eventually be sold to other industries.
The new project is the first to pair a commercial electricity generator with high-temperature steam electrolysis (HTSE) technology. It builds on a project launched last year to demonstrate how hydrogen production facilities could be installed at operating nuclear power plants.
This is a game-changer for both nuclear energy and carbon-free hydrogen production for numerous industries. It offers a view of the energy structures of the future, which will integrate systems to maximize energy use, generator profitability and grid reliability all while minimizing carbon emissions.