SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

The Hydrogen Micro Hub: Large-scale Hydrogen Production

A new facility, the Hydrogen Micro Hub, will accelerate the production and supply of hydrogen. This joint venture between SK E&C, Hyundai Engineering and USNC represents a significant step towards a sustainable hydrogen economy.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

SUBSCRIBE - 99$/year

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

The Hydrogen Micro Hub is a joint venture between SK E&C, Hyundai Engineering and USNC. Together, they plan to develop a facility to accelerate the production and supply of hydrogen. The facility will use high-temperature electrolysis to produce hydrogen, with electricity and steam generated by USNC’s Micro-Modular Reactor (MMR) powering the process.

Objective: establish a competitive hydrogen production system for the future

A key advantage of this technology is its ability to generate high temperature steam, allowing the use of solid oxide electrolysis (SOEC) cells that operate at high temperatures. This maximizes the efficiency of hydrogen production while reducing energy consumption.

The partners plan to build the first Hydrogen Micro Hub at SK E&C’s headquarters in Seoul. They will collaborate on the research and development of the MMR-SOEC integrated plant for the next five years. The goal is to establish a competitive hydrogen production system, promoting ongoing research and development and verification for future hydrogen production and supply companies.

Hydrogen Micro Hub plans to produce hydrogen on a larger scale for the local market

Hyundai Engineering will be responsible for the balance of plant equipment for the MMR plant and for engineering, procurement and construction activities. USNC will design, manufacture and supply the MMR. SK E&C will establish a nuclear-based hydrogen production system using Bloom Energy’s SOEC and provide the hydrogen production equipment.

SK E&S has already successfully tested hydrogen production by electrolysis using a 130 kW SOEC facility in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, in cooperation with Bloom Energy and Bloom SK Fuel Cell. The Hydrogen Micro Hub is expected to produce hydrogen on a larger scale, with the potential to supply the local market.

USNC’s MMR is a 15 MW thermal, 5 MW electrical gas-cooled high-temperature reactor. It is designed to be simple, with minimal operation and maintenance requirements and no on-site fuel storage, handling or processing facilities. The MMR uses TRISO fuel in prismatic graphite blocks and has a transportable sealed core.

The Hydrogen Micro Hub represents a significant step towards a hydrogen economy based on sustainable, low-carbon energy sources. By combining nuclear and SOEC technologies, the facility could pave the way for more efficient and economical hydrogen production on a large scale.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Norway to require grid operators to prepare for multiple sabotage incidents
Voltalia launches construction of hybrid solar-storage power plant in French Guiana
Akaysha commissions 155 MW battery in Australia and prepares expansion
TerraWind strengthens its onshore wind portfolio in Japan with 255MW transferred
ENGIE awards NHOA Energy a 320 MWh battery storage project in Belgium
X-energy secures Doosan forgings for its SMR reactors
US-based X-energy has signed a reservation agreement with South Korea's Doosan Enerbility to secure key components for its small modular nuclear reactors.
Niger signs strategic deal with Russia to revive uranium mining
Niger expands its mining alliances with Uranium One to develop new sites, while the Dasa project continues seeking financing despite clear political backing.
Samsung Heavy Industries secures certification for floating nuclear platform with SMART100
Samsung Heavy Industries has received Approval in Principle for a floating nuclear plant featuring two SMART100 reactors, marking a step toward the commercialisation of offshore small modular reactors.
India unveils draft law to open its nuclear sector to private investment
The Indian government proposes a unified legal framework for nuclear energy, aiming to boost private investment and increase installed capacity to 100 GW by 2047.
Samsung C&T expands nuclear projects in Europe with Synthos Green Energy
Samsung C&T strengthens its presence in modular nuclear energy in Europe by signing an agreement with Synthos Green Energy to develop up to 24 SMRs in Poland and several Central European countries.
nT-Tao develops control method to stabilise power delivery in fusion systems
Israeli firm nT-Tao and Ben-Gurion University have developed a nonlinear control system that improves energy stability in fusion plasmas, strengthening the technical foundation of their future compact reactors.
India opens nuclear sector to private companies with landmark bill
The Indian government has introduced a bill allowing private companies to build and operate nuclear power plants, ending a state monopoly in place for over five decades.
Natura launches DOE authorisation process for its MSR-1 reactor in Texas
Natura Resources enters a new regulatory phase for its molten salt reactor MSR-1, following the signing of a framework agreement with the US Department of Energy under the Reactor Pilot Program.
Norway consults 22 municipalities about hosting nuclear waste facilities
Norwegian Nuclear Decommissioning is surveying 22 localities to assess their interest in hosting storage facilities for radioactive waste from the country’s former research reactors.
Flamanville EPR reactor reaches 100% nuclear power after 12-year delay
Electricité de France's Flamanville 3 reactor has reached full power for the first time, marking a key industrial milestone in the deployment of EPRs in Europe, despite cost overruns reaching EUR23.7bn ($25.7bn).
GE Vernova Hitachi’s BWRX-300 SMR clears regulatory milestone in the United Kingdom
GE Vernova Hitachi’s BWRX-300 small modular reactor has passed a key regulatory hurdle in the United Kingdom, opening the door to potential commercial deployment, despite no current plans for construction.
Natura acquires Shepherd Power and targets several gigawatts of nuclear reactors by 2032
Molten salt reactor developer Natura Resources has acquired Shepherd Power and partnered with NOV to scale up modular reactor manufacturing by the next decade.
China confirms 2026 for Linglong One, the world’s first land-based SMR
China National Nuclear Corporation expects commercial operation in 2026 for its ACP100 reactor, following successful cold testing and completion of critical structures in 2025.
Finnish SEATOM joins NATO’s 2026 defence tech acceleration programme
Start-up SEATOM has been selected to join NATO's DIANA programme with its micro nuclear reactor designed for extreme environments, reinforcing its position in dual-use marine and military energy technologies.
Estonia launches key procedure for 600 MW nuclear project
The Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs has opened a tender to select a site and conduct initial environmental studies for a 600 MW nuclear power plant, marking a decisive step for the country’s energy future.
EU approves €42bn Polish state aid for first nuclear reactor
The European Commission has approved Poland's financial support plan for its first nuclear power plant, a €42bn project backed by public funding, state guarantees, and a contract for difference mechanism.
Nuward reaches new regulatory milestone with six European nuclear regulators
Six European nuclear authorities have completed the second phase of a joint review of the Nuward modular reactor, a key step toward aligning regulatory frameworks for small nuclear reactors across Europe.
Small modular reactor market to reach 912.5 MW by 2030
Driven by off-grid industrial heat demand and decarbonisation mandates, the global small modular reactor market is set to grow 24% annually through 2030, with installed capacity expected to triple within five years.
Fusion energy industry urges Washington to invest over $1bn annually
US fusion energy leaders have called on the federal government to redirect public funding towards their projects, arguing that large-scale investment is needed to stay competitive with China.
Santee Cooper signs $2.7 billion agreement with Brookfield to revive two nuclear reactors
Santee Cooper has approved a memorandum of understanding with Brookfield Asset Management to assess the feasibility of restarting two unfinished nuclear reactors, with a potential $2.7 billion payment and 550 MW capacity stake.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

START - 99$/year

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.