Energy Harbor and the Department of Energy (DOE) have entered into final agreements to continue the development of a zero-carbon hydrogen production demonstration project at the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station near Toledo, Ohio, in collaboration with Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Xcel Energy, and Arizona Public Service.

Davis-Besse was selected by the DOE due to its ability to provide a carbon-free source of power, strong operational track record and proximity to the water required to produce hydrogen. In addition, Davis-Besse is situated in close proximity to key hydrogen consumers in the manufacturing and transportation sectors of the market.

The DOE funded pilot project will demonstrate the technical feasibility and economic viability of a hybrid hydrogen production system in order to facilitate large scale commercialization.  Energy Harbor's Davis-Besse Power Station will provide the carbon-free nuclear power to a hydrogen production unit that will utilize Low Temperature Electrolysis (LTE) using polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) technology to produce 100% carbon-free hydrogen.

Engineering and site preparations are underway to operate the nuclear hydrogen production system in 2023. 

"We are committed to working alongside the DOE and INL to demonstrate nuclear's ability to provide clean, carbon-free hydrogen to the manufacturing and transportation sectors," said Energy Harbor's Executive VP and Chief Nuclear Officer, David Hamilton. "Zero-carbon hydrogen is an important component of the energy transition currently underway."