Nuclear-powered hydrogen explored to fuel global clean energy shift

Canada-based First Hydrogen Corp. has initiated a collaboration with the University of Alberta to design small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) aimed at producing low-carbon "green" hydrogen at competitive costs. This partnership focuses on refining reactor fuels, core materials, and plant layouts to optimize SMRs for converting heat and electricity into hydrogen without carbon emissions. First Hydrogen’s move into nuclear technology, through its newly formed subsidiary First Nuclear, targets large-scale hydrogen production to meet the growing electricity demands of AI-driven data centers, which Goldman Sachs predicts will increase data center power consumption by 160% by 2030, potentially accounting for up to 4% of global electricity use. SMRs, producing up to a few hundred megawatts, offer advantages over traditional gigawatt-scale reactors due to their modular, factory-built design that allows easier onsite assembly and installation in diverse locations such as industrial campuses or remote areas. Their simplified, mostly underground construction aims to enhance safety, reduce refueling frequency, and lower upfront costs