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Hydrogen production at Nine Mile Point
A containerised Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyser is to be installed at Exelon Generation’s Nine Mile Point nuclear power plant in New York State as part of a hydrogen production demonstration project. The unit will supply hydrogen for the plant’s turbine cooling and chemistry control.
Introduction
Nel ASA launched the MC250 and MC500 containerised PEM electrolysers in February this year. They represent “automated MW-class on-site hydrogen generators utilising a modular containerised design for ease of installation and integration.”
Norway’s Nel ASA announced its Nel Hydrogen US subsidiary had received a USD2.6 million contract on containerised PEM electrolyser.
Hydrogen production
The MC250 for a 1.25 MW electrolyser would be installed at a nuclear power plant Nine Mile Point for self-supply of hydrogen to meet turbine cooling and chemistry control requirements.
The PEM electrolyser will be installed at the plant and operations are expected to begin in 2022. It will use the plant’s existing hydrogen storage system and supporting infrastructure. Plant staff are fully prepared to support the project using existing operational protocols.
The project will generate an economical supply of hydrogen, a natural by-product of nuclear energy. Hydrogen will be safely captured, stored and potentially taken to market as a 100% carbon-free source of power. It is also possible use for other purposes, including industrial applications such as transportation.
US DOE involvement
Partnership with DOE reflects the commitment to innovation. The project is funded by the DOE’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office, through the H2@Scale programme. H2@Scale is a DOE initiative that brings together stakeholders to advance affordable hydrogen production, transport, storage and utilisation to enable decarbonisation and revenue opportunities across multiple sectors.
Conclusion
This project represents an important first step toward developing a regional supply of zero-carbon hydrogen, while supporting clean baseload electricity resources on the grid.
The project shall demonstrate the economic feasibility of hydrogen production at nuclear sites. The projekt will also provide a blueprint for large scale carbon-free hydrogen export in support of DOE’s H2@Scale programme objectives.
Source https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Nine-Mile-Point-to-produce-hydrogen-for-self-suppl
For more detailed information on hydrogen production project, see https://www.constellationenergy.com/newsroom/2021/exelon-generation-receives-doe-grant-to-support-hydrogen-production-project-at-nine-mile-point.html