New Coalition of Global Partners Launch the Nuclear Hydrogen Initiative (NHI)

More than 40 global participants have announced the formation of the Nuclear Hydrogen Initiative (NHI) to advance nuclear hydrogen as a critical climate solution. The initiative will engage policymakers, businesses, investors, and other key stakeholders to raise awareness of the important role nuclear hydrogen can play in delivering carbon-free energy. In this case Nuclear Hydrogen refers to Hydrogen produced using electrolysers powered by nuclear energy.

According to the official statement, NHI will facilitate the development of nuclear hydrogen demonstrations, engage the financial sector in nuclear hydrogen development, catalyze commercial partnerships and advocate for policies that support nuclear hydrogen deployment.

Elina Teplinsky, Partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, said, “Hydrogen has an important role to play in a decarbonized global energy system, and we can unlock massive opportunities to quickly scale it by leveraging nuclear energy. But there is much work to be done to engender policy support, foster commercial partnerships, address technical issues, and craft financing models for nuclear hydrogen projects.”

Carlos Leipner, Director, Clean Air Task Force, said, “As a global NGO focused on pursuing all promising decarbonization pathways, Clean Air Task Force is proud to join the Nuclear Hydrogen Initiative, helping highlight the important role nuclear energy can play in supplying the world with low-emission hydrogen.”

The Nuclear Hydrogen Initiative held that the nuclear technologies have the potential to produce hydrogen in a clean manner. The hydrogen generation pathway has benefits as its space-efficient, dense, and firm, providing reliable clean energy at scale 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Colleen Wright, VP at Corporate Strategy for Constellation, mentioned, “Climate experts agree we can’t fully solve the climate crisis without abundant sources of hydrogen, and nuclear energy remains the most efficient and economical way to produce it on the scale we need.”

“As the largest producer of carbon-free energy in the nation, Constellation supports this initiative to help build the technology, policy and financial frameworks to accelerate our transition to a hydrogen economy,” he added.

A Peek Into Report

NHI recently published its first report called ‘Hydrogen Production from Carbon-Free Nuclear Energy: Overview of Current Policies and Recommendations for Government Actions.’ It finds that 26 countries and the European Union have issued hydrogen roadmaps or strategies, and 21 have released those plans between 2020 and 2021.

“Countries around the world are investing in hydrogen as an important tool for reaching net-zero emissions, and many are poised to tap into the distinct advantages of nuclear energy to produce it at scale,” said Teplinsky.

Nuclear Hydrogen Initiative (NHI)

The Nuclear Hydrogen Initiative is a coalition of partners advancing nuclear hydrogen as a critical climate solution with a shared vision of a decarbonized global energy system. With more than 40 participants, NHI is made up of stakeholders from the global hydrogen ecosystem, including companies, academic institutions, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. They have come together to elevate the critical role that nuclear-derived hydrogen can play in delivering clean, secure and affordable energy.