Hydrogen production underway at Nine Mile Point nuclear plant in New York State

Hydrogen production has begun at Constellation Energy’s Nine Mile Point Nuclear Plant in Oswego, N.Y.

This is the nation’s first 1 MW demonstration scale, nuclear-powered clean hydrogen production facility. The plant is expected to help demonstrate the potential for hydrogen to power a clean economy. Clean hydrogen can be used to generate energy for industries that are hard to decarbonize, like aviation, long-haul transportation, steelmaking, and agriculture.

“Hydrogen 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,” Joe Dominguez, president and CEO of Constellation, said. “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 Hydrogen Generation System operating at Nine Mile Point uses 1.25 megawatts of zero-carbon energy per hour to produce 560 kilograms of clean hydrogen per day. The system’s Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzer, manufactured by Nel Hydrogen, utilizes emissions-free electricity generated at Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station to separate hydrogen and oxygen atoms in water.

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

Constellation is currently working with public and private entities to pursue the development of regional hydrogen production and distribution hubs. It has committed to invest $900 million through 2025 for commercial clean hydrogen production using nuclear energy. This includes participation in the Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen, Northeast Clean Hydrogen Hub, and Mid-Atlantic Hydrogen Hub, all of which are exploring projects to develop hydrogen infrastructure in collaboration with DOE.