India opens world's first hydrogen production facility integrating nuclear reactor heat

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) on Friday inaugurated the world's first hydrogen production facility based on the Copper–Chlorine (Cu–Cl) Thermochemical Cycle utilising nuclear process using heat generated from the Fast Test Reactor (FBTR) at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) in Tamil Nadu's Kalpakkam.

This is being considered a landmark achievement for India's clean energy and advanced nuclear technology programme.

The facility was inaugurated by Ajit Kumar Mohanty, DAE Secretary and Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Chairman, in the presence of Sreekumar G Pillai, IGCAR Director.

"The facility has been established as a technology demonstrator to validate the production of hydrogen using nuclear energy through the Cu–Cl thermochemical process developed indigenously by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai. The successful integration of nuclear process heat with hydrogen generation marks a pioneering technological breakthrough and opens a promising pathway for large-scale, carbon-free hydrogen production using advanced nuclear reactors," the DAE said in a statement.

Regarded as a key energy carrier for the future, Hydrogen is expected to play a pivotal role in the global transition towards clean and sustainable energy systems.

Among the various hydrogen production technologies under development worldwide, the Cu–Cl thermochemical cycle is considered one of the most promising due to its relatively lower operating temperatures and higher thermodynamic efficiency.

By harnessing nuclear heat from fast reactors, the process significantly reduces dependence on fossil fuels and eliminates greenhouse gas emissions associated with conventional hydrogen production methods.

"The commissioning of the facility represents the culmination of extensive research, process development, engineering design, equipment fabrication, installation, testing and commissioning efforts undertaken jointly by BARC and IGCAR. The plant will provide valuable operational experience, facilitate further optimisation of the Cu–Cl process and support future research aimed at scaling up nuclear-assisted hydrogen production technologies for commercial deployment," it has been said in the statement.

"The integration of nuclear energy with emerging clean energy technologies such as hydrogen production represents a strategic pathway towards a sustainable energy future. Nuclear power, with its unique ability to provide reliable carbon-free electricity as well as high-temperature process heat, is ideally suited to support large-scale hydrogen production while contributing to India's energy security, decarbonisation goals and long-term sustainable development objectives. I congratulate the scientists, engineers and technical teams of BARC and IGCAR whose sustained dedication, innovation and technical excellence have transformed an advanced scientific concept into an operational reality. This achievement is a testament to India's growing capabilities in advanced nuclear technologies and clean energy systems," Mohanty said in his address.

IGCAR, one of India's premier nuclear research institutions under the Department of Atomic Energy, has been at the forefront of the country's Fast Breeder Reactor programme since its establishment in 1971.

The Centre successfully designed, constructed and operated the Fast Breeder Test Reactor, which has served as an invaluable platform for the development and validation of fuels, materials and sodium technologies for more than four decades.

The knowledge and expertise generated through FBTR have laid the technological foundation for India's fast reactor programme and played a pivotal role in the development of the 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR), the flagship of the second stage of India's three-stage nuclear power programme.

"This achievement builds upon more than four decades of operational experience and technological excellence gained through the Fast Breeder Test Reactor programme at IGCAR. The successful demonstration of hydrogen production using nuclear process heat showcases the versatility of advanced nuclear systems and underscores IGCAR's commitment to developing innovative technologies that contribute to India's clean energy transition and long-term energy security," Pillai said.

IGCAR has established internationally recognised capabilities in reactor physics, thermal hydraulics, advanced materials, sodium technology, fuel cycle research, instrumentation and control systems, remote handling, non-destructive evaluation and high-temperature engineering over the years.

Its contributions continue to strengthen India's technological self-reliance and reinforce the nation's position among the global leaders in advanced nuclear technologies.

"The inauguration of the facility marks a major step towards realising the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat through the convergence of nuclear energy and clean hydrogen technologies. It demonstrates DAE's continued commitment to indigenous innovation and reinforces India's resolve to build a sustainable, secure and low-carbon energy future for Viksit Bharat," the statement added.