NewHydrogen, Inc. has announced an innovative approach to producing clean hydrogen by integrating its ThermoLoop technology with Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). This collaboration aims to leverage nuclear power to create the world”s cheapest clean hydrogen, as detailed in a press release from Santa Clarita, California, dated October 29, 2025.
According to Steve Hill, CEO of NewHydrogen, the combination of ThermoLoop and SMRs presents compelling technical advantages. He emphasized that nuclear energy is a clean source that generates no greenhouse gas emissions during operation. Hill stated, “SMRs are manufactured in factories and can operate as single or multiple modules, allowing for flexibility in power generation to meet various needs.”
One 50-megawatt SMR combined with the ThermoLoop process, assuming a 50% energy efficiency rate, could produce roughly 54 metric tons of hydrogen each day. This amount is sufficient to supply 54 standard 1-ton hydrogen fueling stations, facilitating approximately 10,000 fill-ups for hydrogen-powered vehicles daily. This scalability and reliability are essential for fostering a robust Hydrogen Economy.
Nuclear reactors generate substantial heat, much of which is typically wasted. The ThermoLoop process aims to harness this surplus energy to continuously split water into hydrogen and oxygen, eliminating the need for electricity or fossil fuels. By integrating ThermoLoop with nuclear facilities, NewHydrogen could create new revenue opportunities while contributing to global decarbonization efforts.
The push for SMRs is gaining momentum, with governments in the United States, Japan, and Europe accelerating the construction of nuclear plants to meet the increasing energy demands driven by advancements in artificial intelligence and electrification of transportation. The 2025 Nuclear Energy Growth Report by ICF International indicates that while SMRs are pivotal for the future of nuclear power, they must overcome challenges related to cost competitiveness.
Combining SMRs with ThermoLoop presents a co-generation solution that can enhance project economics by enabling the production of both electricity and hydrogen from the same thermal energy source. In this synergy, nuclear energy can provide continuous, zero-carbon heat, while hydrogen acts as a flexible medium for energy storage, transport, and industrial applications.
Hill concluded by emphasizing the importance of this technology in the global race to expand reliable, carbon-free energy resources: “Our technology can convert nuclear heat directly into clean hydrogen, offering operators an economic edge while supplying a crucial fuel for the clean energy transition.” The integration of ThermoLoop within SMR facilities could lead to a new category of clean energy plants capable of producing electricity and hydrogen efficiently and continuously.
