Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation, Hyundai Engineering and SK ecoplant partner for hydrogen production

In Washington, Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC) said it is partnering with Hyundai Engineering and SK ecoplant to conduct research and development for carbon-free hydrogen production. The three companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) earlier this month for the construction of a “Hydrogen Micro Hub” at the SK ecoplant headquarters in Seoul’s Jongno district. The “Hydrogen Micro Hub” is a facility that produces hydrogen by applying a high-temperature electrolysis process of solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOEC) to the electricity and high-temperature steam generated by USNC’s Micro-Modular Reactor (MMR). This is a carbon-free hydrogen production method that extracts hydrogen by decomposing water with electricity generated from nuclear power, the companies said. Under the agreement, the three companies will jointly conduct research and development on the MMR-SOEC integrated plant for the next five years. Hyundai Engineering will oversee the MMR-related BOP (Balance of Plant) and EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) activities, while USNC will be responsible for MMR design, manufacturing, and supply. SK ecoplant will establish a nuclear power-based hydrogen production system using Bloom Energy’s SOEC and supply hydrogen production equipment.

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