Exelon Corp. will begin evaluating hydrogen production next year at one of its nuclear plants in New York, part of a growing push to use the most abundant element in the universe as a source of carbon-free power. The Chicago-based company received a grant from the U.S. Energy Department to “explore the potential benefits of onsite production” at its Nine Mile Point facility north of Syracuse, Chief Executive Officer Chris Crane said Wednesday during a conference call . Governments worldwide are exploring hydrogen as a tool to fight climate change because the fuel can be burned in turbines or fed through fuel cells to generate electricity without producing greenhouse gases. Nuclear plants can play a role in the so-called hydrogen economy because surplus heat or electricity can be used to make hydrogen, which can be stored until its needed. “Hydrogen will be key in helping the nation address the […]