On March 7, 2023, Constellation announced that hydrogen production has started at the nation’s first 1 MW demonstration scale, nuclear-powered clean hydrogen production facility at Mile Point Nuclear Plant in Oswego, New York.[1] In 2022, the Department of Energy (DOE) approved moving forward with the construction and installation of an electrolyzer system at Nine Mile Point with an award of $5.8 million. The clean Hydrogen Generation System uses 1.25 MW of zero-carbon energy per hour to produce 560 kilograms of clean hydrogen per day. Constellation said this is “more than enough to meet the plant’s operation hydrogen use.” The Hydrogen Generation System’s Proton Exchange Membrane electrolyzer was manufactured by Nel Hydrogen and utilizes electricity generated at Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station to separate hydrogen and oxygen atoms in water. According to the press release, the demonstration project helps set the stage for possible large-scale deployments at other clean energy centers in Constellation’s fleet.

As part of its broader decarbonization strategy, Constellation is currently working with public and private entities representing every phase in the hydrogen value chain to pursue development of regional hydrogen production and distribution hubs. The company plans to invest $900 million through 2025 to advance commercial clean hydrogen production and is participating in the Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen (MachH2), Northeast Clean Hydrogen Hub, and Mid-Atlantic Hydrogen Hub, all of which are exploring projects to develop hydrogen infrastructure in collaboration with DOE.

[1] https://www.constellationenergy.com/newsroom/2023/Constellation-Starts-Production-at-Nations-First-One-Megawatt-Demonstration-Scale-Nuclear-Powered-Clean-Hydrogen-Facility.html