An assessment of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear plant for zero-carbon electricity, desalination, and hydrogen production

Extending the life of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant in California, USA has the potential to help the state meet the increasing challenges of climate change by providing clean, safe and reliable electricity, water and hydrogen fuel for Californians, according to a new study by researchers at Stanford University's Precourt Institute for Energy and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Centre for Advanced Nuclear Energy Systems as well as the MIT Abdul Latif Jameel Water and Food Systems Lab. Researchers found that accelerated effects of climate change, along with California’s adoption of ambitious new emission reduction targets since the 2018 decision to decommission the plant will require an unprecedented effort to secure enough clean energy to power the world’s fifth largest economy. Extending the plant’s operation can propel the state forward in achieving its aggressive climate and clean energy goals while protecting ratepayer costs.

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