Economic and Strategic Significance of Small Modular Reactor-Assisted Green Hydrogen Production in the Decarbonization of the Aviation Sector

Semih Sadi KILIÇ

doi:10.56753/ASREL.2025.2.7

Semih Sadi KILIÇ, Sinan Yiğit

Year : 2025
Vol : 4
Issue : 2
Page : 183-197

DOI : 10.56753/ASREL.2025.2.7

Transitioning to cleaner energy alternatives is necessary due to the increasing demand for energy and the dominance of fossil fuels. Nuclear power plants, on the other hand, garner attention due to their consistent base load and low greenhouse gas emissions. Small modular reactor (SMR) technologies have been prioritized in non-electrical applications. This study comprehensively analyzes the economic impact of green hydrogen production by using SMRs on the decarbonization of the aviation sector. A literature review examined the technological and economic characteristics of SMRs, their correlation with hydrogen production, and their potential integration into the aviation sector. The cost-effectiveness of hydrogen production using SMRs for aerospace was evaluated. Furthermore, the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) and levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) were calculated, considering key parameters and potential price fluctuations. Sensitivity analysis was performed specifically for ACP100, NuScale (VOYGR-4), BWRX-300 and i-SMR designs, and as a result, it was seen that the effect of operating life and reduction rate on LCOH remained below 1%. The most effective parameter has been determined as the lower calorific value (LHV) of hydrogen, which has an effect of approximately 8-9%. Notably, no significant technology-specific differences were observed. Although it was obtained that the LCOH did not fall below $6/kg even when all parameters were at their lowest, it was concluded that with a 10% change in the parameters, the cost of hydrogen could potentially reach $10/kg per kilogram. For competitiveness with jet fuel, the LCOH needs to fall below $4/kg. Within this, it was concluded that when all parameters decrease by 10%, the LCOE value should decrease to $42/MWh for the scenario and $33/MWh for the reference scenario. In addition, the main suggestions and points to be considered to guide other researchers working on nuclear energy, hydrogen and aviation are presented in the conclusion section.

Cite this Article As : Kılıç, S. S., Yiğit, S. (2025). Economic and strategic significance of small modular reactor (SMR)-assisted green hydrogen production in the decarbonization of the aviation sector. Aerospace Research Letters (ASREL), 4(2), 183-197.

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Economic and Strategic Significance of Small Modular Reactor-Assisted Green Hydrogen Production in the Decarbonization of the Aviation Sector, Research Article,
2025, Vol. 4 (2)

Received : 20.10.2025, Accepted : 19.11.2025 , Published Online : 26.12.2025