NuScale Power, a leading developer of small modular reactors (SMRs), has announced a significant advancement in its simulation capabilities, becoming the first in the industry to integrate hydrogen production into its reactor designs. This pioneering move, executed in collaboration with GSE Solutions, marks a critical step towards realizing integrated clean energy systems that can produce both electricity and green hydrogen. The simulation, developed at NuScale’s headquarters in Corvallis, Oregon, positions SMR technology as a versatile solution for future energy demands.

The collaboration leveraged GSE Solutions' sophisticated power plant modeling technology to create a comprehensive simulation for hydrogen fuel cell generation and storage. This advanced model was then seamlessly incorporated into NuScale’s existing hydrogen simulator project. GSE officials highlighted their system's role in overhauling the control logic for steam supply, hydrogen compression, and heat recovery systems. The core innovation lies in a reversible solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system, which interfaces directly with NuScale’s SMR control room simulator. This integration empowers NuScale engineers to rigorously evaluate and optimize diverse operational configurations, assessing performance across a wide spectrum of potential industrial applications.

The integration of hydrogen production into SMR simulations addresses a burgeoning global demand for clean hydrogen, a critical component for decarbonizing heavy industries, transportation, and energy storage. While SMRs are primarily designed for electricity generation, their ability to provide stable, high-temperature process heat makes them exceptionally well-suited for efficient hydrogen production methods, such as high-temperature electrolysis. This development broadens the economic viability and strategic utility of SMRs, moving them beyond traditional power generation into a more comprehensive role within the clean energy transition. By simulating these complex integrated systems, NuScale can de-risk future deployments and accelerate the commercialization of SMRs for multi-purpose energy hubs.

This simulation capability is central to NuScale’s strategic vision of building integrated energy systems that can efficiently produce not only carbon-free power but also clean hydrogen and potable water. The ability to model and optimize these processes virtually reduces development costs and timelines, paving the way for faster deployment of advanced clean energy solutions. As industries seek reliable, scalable, and low-carbon alternatives to fossil fuels, SMRs coupled with hydrogen production offer a compelling pathway. This development positions NuScale at the forefront of advanced nuclear applications, potentially unlocking new markets and accelerating the global shift towards a hydrogen-based economy powered by clean energy.