 | ||
A Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP) is a generation IV very-high-temperature reactor (VHTR) that could be coupled to a neighboring hydrogen production facility. It could also produce electricity and supply process heat. Up to 30% of this heat could be used to produce hydrogen via high temperature electrolysis significantly reducing the cost of the process. The United States Department of Energy issued in 2007 a "request for expressions of interest from prospective industry teams" that want to provide design services for developing the NGNP.
With an earlier focus on South Africa's Pebble bed modular reactor, in 2012 Idaho National Laboratory approved a design similar to Areva's SC-HTGR (formerly Antares) reactor as the chosen Next Generation Nuclear Power Plant HTGR to be deployed as a prototype by 2021. It was in competition with General Atomics' Gas turbine modular helium reactor and Westinghouse' Pebble Bed Modular Reactor.
The SC-HTGR is based on the GT-MHR. An industry alliance of General Atomics and Areva are targeting 2015 for submittal of a Construction Permit application.