First Hydrogen Corp is exploring new projects to grow its hydrogen-as-a-service initiative.
Based in Vancouver, the company is investigating various energy sources, focusing notably on producing green hydrogen using Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs). With increasing energy demands, traditional power grids struggle to keep up, leading several firms to boost nuclear power to accommodate data centers for generative AI models.
SMRs are compact, efficient nuclear systems offering a scalable, low-carbon energy alternative. They are significantly smaller than large nuclear reactors, sometimes only a tenth of their size. Internationally, nuclear energy is deemed a green source due to its ability to produce substantial electricity with minimal greenhouse emissions. First Hydrogen intends to install SMRs in areas with limited grid power to generate hydrogen for fueling stations.
This project aligns with First Hydrogen’s dedication to sustainable energy innovation. These developments contribute to global energy transitions and support the company’s role in the clean energy landscape. Balraj Mann, CEO of First Hydrogen, highlights nuclear energy’s consistent power, unlike solar or wind power, with SMRs offering electricity costs around $36/MWh. Recognizing this, large tech companies are investing in nuclear for long-term low-cost energy.
First Hydrogen focuses on zero-emission vehicles, green hydrogen production, and distribution. They have designed two hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered light commercial vehicles, which are road-legal in the UK, have completed 6,000 km of testing, and achieve over 630 km per refueling. The vehicles have successfully been tested with UK fleet operators. In Quebec, the company is developing a 35MW green hydrogen production site and vehicle assembly plant.
