AN INTERNATIONAL OVERVIEW OF NUCLEAR HYDROGEN PRODUCTION PROGRAMS

A number of nations are actively exploring the option of a hydrogen economy to help address some of the energy issues facing the world today. One method of hydrogen generation under consideration in several countries is through the use of nuclear power. The American Nuclear Society Embedded Topical Meeting on Safety and Technology, of Nuclear Hydrogen Production, Control, and Management (ST-NH2) held in Boston, Massachusetts, in June 2007 included a panel session entitled "An International Overview of Nuclear Hydrogen Production Programs." Speakers in this session highlighted some of the similarities and differences in national approaches, including technologies being targeted and strategies being planned for moving to a hydrogen economy. This paper summarizes the papers presented by the seven speakers on the panel and highlights some of the key similarities and differences discussed in the session.