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Constellation begins production at demonstration scale nuclear-powered clean H2 facility

H2 production has commenced at the nation’s first 1-MW demonstration scale, nuclear-powered clean H2 production facility at Constellation’s Nine Mile Point Nuclear Plant in Oswego, New York, an advancement that will help demonstrate the potential for H2 to power a clean economy.

When produced at scale, clean H2 can be used to make next-generation energy for otherwise hard-to-decarbonize industries like aviation, long haul transportation, steelmaking and agriculture. Last year, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) approved moving forward with construction and installation of an electrolyzer system at Nine Mile Point with an award of $5.8 MM.

“H2 will be an indispensable tool in solving the climate crisis, and Nine Mile Point is going to show the world that nuclear power is the most efficient and cost-effective way to make it from a carbon-free resource,” said Joe Dominguez, president and CEO of Constellation. “In partnership with DOE and others, we see this technology creating a pathway to decarbonizing industries that remain heavily reliant on fossil fuels, while creating clean-energy jobs and strengthening domestic energy security.”

The clean H2 Generation System operating at Nine Mile Point uses 1.25 MW/hr of zero-carbon energy to produce 560 kg/d of clean H2, more than enough to meet the plant’s operational H2 use. It will also help set the stage for possible large-scale deployments at other clean energy centers in Constellation’s fleet that would couple clean H2 production with storage and other onsite uses.

As part of its broader decarbonization strategy, Constellation is working with public and private entities representing every phase in the H2 value chain to pursue development of regional H2 production and distribution hubs and has committed to invest $900 MM through 2025 for commercial clean H2 production using nuclear energy. This includes participation in the Midwest Alliance for Clean H2 (MachH2), Northeast Clean H2 Hub and Mid-Atlantic H2 Hub, all of which are exploring projects to develop H2 infrastructure in collaboration with DOE.

“This accomplishment tangibly demonstrates that our nation’s existing reactor fleet can produce clean H2 today,” said Dr. Kathryn Huff, assistant secretary for Nuclear Energy, DOE, “DOE is proud to support cost-shared projects like this to deliver affordable clean H2. The investments we’re starting to make now through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act will even further expand the H2 market to create new economic and environmental benefits for nuclear energy.”