Postdoc position Nuclear-Renewable Hybrid Energy Systems
About the position
The position relates to projects within the Swedish Competence Centre ANItA (Academic-industrial Nuclear technology Initiative to Achieve a sustainable energy future), which integrates Swedish technical and nontechnical expertise of Uppsala University, Chalmers, KTH, Vattenfall, Uniper, Fortum, Westinghouse, Studsvik Nuclear and the Swedish Energy Agency in nuclear technology and engineering.
Collaborative research, development and education of the centre aims to create a Swedish knowledge and competence base needed for the introduction of novel nuclear power technologies such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and provide relevant information, in particular, to policymakers for timely decisions on the future Swedish energy generation mix.
Within ANItA, the leading universities in Sweden collaborate with leading Nordic companies in the nuclear energy sector. This offers doctoral students and postdoctoral students a strong research environment, a unique industrial application potential, and excellent opportunities for international partnerships.
Project description
This project deals with dual- or multi-purpose use and integration of nuclear technology into the energy system.
The research is prompted by
1) current ideas to produce hydrogen gas through electrolysis of water by using wind and solar power and
2) the vast potential of using nuclear power technology for producing hydrogen gas or only heat. Combined thermal splitting and electrolysis is another emerging technology which may develop into a competitive technology if based on SMRs. On the other hand, it should be noted that gas-cooled fast reactors, with their high operating temperatures, are well-suited for thermally splitting water into its constituents with potentially an extremely high efficiency. These developments are likely to have a significant impact on the future energy system and the Centre will investigate the nuclear component in such technologies.
The project will provide competence development for young researchers that will allow them to fulfil roles as either future TSO (Technical Support Organisation) personnel that will be required for the transition from the current nuclear power plant fleet to a future fleet including or based on SMR technology, or as experts within Swedish nuclear industry. The objective is furthermore to assemble and provide to other Centre projects key design features for further developments.