World’s first hydrogen-generating nuclear reactor goes live in the US

NuScale Power Corporation, in partnership with GSE Solutions, has launched the world’s first fully integrated hydrogen production simulator within a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) control room environment at its headquarters in Corvallis, Oregon. This real-time simulator models hydrogen production exceeding 200 metric tons daily using nuclear-powered high-temperature steam electrolysis, centered around Reversible Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (RSOFCs) that simultaneously generate electricity, hydrogen, and clean water. The system not only validates the integrated nuclear-hydrogen platform but also serves as a training tool for operators, supporting workforce development as SMRs evolve from grid-only electricity providers to multi-output energy producers addressing industrial decarbonization, water scarcity, and clean molecule synthesis. NuScale’s approach highlights a strategic shift in SMR applications beyond electricity generation to becoming foundational assets in hydrogen and clean fuel economies. Unlike intermittent renewables, SMRs provide consistent thermal and electrical input essential for stable high-temperature electrolysis, enabling resilient and modular hydrogen production