Methods and systems for syngas production and for efficient, flexible energy generation

A system for producing syngas comprising hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) and for generating electrical power, the system comprising:

• a high-temperature co-electrolysis (HTCE) unit;
• at least one nuclear reactor configured to provide electrical power to the HTCE unit and configured to provide steam (H2O) to the HTCE unit;
• an integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plant;
• an oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) stream line in communication with both the HTCE unit and the IGCC power plant;
• and
• another carbon dioxide (CO2) stream line in communication with both the HTCE unit and the IGCC power plant.

A method for producing syngas comprising hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO), the method comprising:

• introducing an input stream comprising water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) to a high-temperature co-electrolysis (HTCE) unit;
• introducing a carbon dioxide (CO2) sweep gas to the HTCE unit;
• in the HTCE unit, reducing both the water (H2O) and the carbon dioxide (CO2) of the input stream to form the syngas comprising the hydrogen (H2) and the carbon monoxide and to form oxygen (O2);
• sweeping the oxygen (O2) away from the HTCE unit using the carbon dioxide (CO2) sweep gas;
• introducing the oxygen (O2) and the carbon dioxide (CO2) sweep gas to a combustion sub-system;
• in the combustion sub-system, combusting a carbonaceous fuel in the presence of the oxygen (O2) and the carbon dioxide (CO2) sweep gas;
• and
• power the HTCE unit with electrical power supplied by an electricity-generating sub-system.