Future of Arizona nuclear plant may see hydrogen production

PHOENIX (AP) — Managers of a three-reactor Arizona nuclear plant that went online in the 1980s are exploring whether production of hydrogen gas will be part of its future.

The Arizona Republic reports that an idea being explored for the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station is to use seasonally surplus electricity from the plant located in the desert west of Phoenix to separate water into oxygen and hydrogen gas.

Uses for the gas could include powering fuel-cell cars and trucks and providing to nearby natural-gas plants that generate electricity.

The contemplated production of hydrogen stems from increased availability of solar power, which means Palo Verde’s electricity production isn’t needed as much during mild spring and fall weather as during the summer when air conditioners run full throttle.