World's first byproduct hydrogen power plant opened

Industry

Published: 28 Jul. 2020, 19:20 Updated: 28 Jul. 2020, 19:38

World's first byproduct hydrogen power plant opened

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, center, and Hanwha Energy CEO Jung In-sub, center left, attend the opening ceremony of the world's first byproduct hydrogen fuel cell power plant in Seosan, South Chungcheong on Tuesday. [NEWS1]

Korea formally opened the world's first byproduct hydrogen power plant, which uses gas produced in the processing of petrochemicals.

The plant, located at Daesan Industrial Complex in Seosan, South Chungcheong, is rated at 50 megawatts and will produce enough electricity to supply 160,000 households.

It is built on 20,000 square meters (215,278 square feet) within the complex and has been operating since June. A total of 255 billion won ($188 million) was invested.

Hanwha Energy will be operating the new plant, which will use 114 hydrogen fuel cells from Doosan Fuel Cell, each of which is rated at 440 kilowatts. Doosan Fuel Cell will maintain and repair of the fuel cells for the next 20 years.

Since it utilizes the byproduct hydrogen, the Daesan plant does not produce green gasses.

According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the hydrogen fuel cell power plants produce less noise pollution than traditional power plants and are also more efficient.

Compared to other renewable power plants, such as those using solar panels or wind turbines, the hydrogen fuel cell power plant takes up less space.

The world's first byproduct hydrogen fuel cell power plant in Seosan, South Chungcheong. [DOOSAN FUEL CELL]

In May 2017, Doosan Fuel Cell completed a hydrogen fuel cell production plant in Iksan, North Jeolla, which can annually manufacture 168 fuel cells rated at 440 kilowatts.

The company so far has supplied a total of 987 hydrogen fuel cells totaling 433 megawatts.

“Our goal is to use 100 percent of our own technology up from 98 percent,” said Yoo Soo-kyung, Doosan Fuel Cell CEO. “The Daesan hydrogen fuel cell power plant will play an important role in securing the technological advantage in the world’s fuel cell market.”

The government sees the development of hydrogen fuel cell technology as an advantage for the country.

“Korea has outstanding technology and provides 40 percent of the world’s hydrogen fuel cells,” said Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, who attended the ceremony. “We have a goal of turning it to a major export industry.”

“We are currently in the most important time, heading into the growth period of the hydrogen economy as converting to clean energy is becoming a worldwide trend,” Chung said. “The government will take necessary steps including early launching of the hydrogen economy council that will play the central role.”

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]