The hydrogen energy pertains to one of strategic development areas of the Russian nuclear sector. Today ROSATOM focuses on planning and implementing pilot projects in Russia and abroad, developing own technologies of production, storage and transportation of hydrogen, building long-term strategic and technological partnerships in this area. JSC Rusatom Overseas is designated as the Sectoral Integrator in this domain.
The Energy Strategy of Russia until 2035 envisages the development and consumption of hydrogen in the country and entering domestic companies in the world leaders of its export volumes. In October 2020, the Government of Russia approved the Plan of Measures on “Development of Hydrogen Energy in the Russian Federation until 2024”.
The implementation of environment-friendly technologies of hydrogen production and international cooperation in this area will facilitate diversification of the world energy mix that is an important step to the carbon-free future.
Since 2018, the Hydrogen Energy has been the priority science and technology development area of ROSATOM. The Russian nuclear industry has a substantial technological and research potential for development of main hydrogen production methods: steam methane reformation and electrolysis. One of priority engineering tasks is to ensure minimum releases of carbon dioxide in hydrogen production. The largest science and engineering organizations have already carried out scientific activities: in 2019, the first results on the assessment of own production technologies were obtained. According to the roadmap developed by the Ministry of Energy of Russia, in the coming years ROSATOM plans to test the pilot hydrogen production installation at a NPP and be one of partners to build a test site for using hydrogen at railway transport. The respective agreement was signed with Sakhalin Region, RZD and Transmashkholding in 2019.
ROSATOM is opened to cooperation with international companies in the joint analysis of export supplies prospects to European and Asian countries. Interaction in this area will allow solving issues of storage, liquefaction, and long-distance transportation of hydrogen while retaining commercial appeal of projects.