Hyundai Motor-LS Electric Collaborate on Hydrogen Fuel Cell Power Generation System Development

[Asia Economy Reporter Suyeon Woo] Hyundai Motor Company and LS Electric have joined forces to develop a hydrogen fuel cell-based power generation system. The two companies have set a joint goal to build a hydrogen fuel cell power generation system that can be applied not only in the automotive sector but also in various other fields, ultimately accelerating the realization of a hydrogen society.

On the 9th, Hyundai Motor announced that on the 8th, it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 'mutual cooperation for the development and supply of hydrogen fuel cell power generation systems' with LS Electric at Hyundai Motor's Environmental Technology Research Center located in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. The signing ceremony was attended by Kim Se-hoon, Head of Hyundai Motor's Fuel Cell Business Division; Park Soon-chan, Director of Hyundai Motor's Fuel Cell Business Office; Oh Jae-seok, Head of LS Electric's Global Business Division; and Kim Young-geun, CTO (Chief Technology Officer) of LS Electric.

Through this MOU, the two companies will promote the development of a power generation system based on Hyundai Motor's hydrogen fuel cell system. Hyundai Motor will be responsible for supplying the fuel cell system and providing technical support, while LS Electric will handle the manufacturing of the power generation system and the establishment of integrated solutions.

Kim Sehun, Head of Fuel Cell Business Division at Hyundai Motor Company (right in the photo), and Oh Jaeseok, Head of Global Business Division at LS Electric, signed a "Mutual Cooperation MOU for the Development and Supply of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Power Generation Systems" on the 8th and are taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Hyundai Motor Group

Hyundai Motor's hydrogen fuel cell system is a 95kW-class fuel cell system applied to hydrogen electric vehicles such as the Nexo, hydrogen electric trucks like the Xcient, and hydrogen electric buses such as the Elec City. It is especially noted for its excellent responsiveness and start-up performance suitable for vehicle use.

This MOU was achieved as Hyundai Motor, which is diversifying the development and commercialization of fuel cell systems, and LS Electric, which has recently been expanding its fuel cell-based power generation business, joined forces. In particular, synergy effects are expected from Hyundai Motor, which possesses core technologies of hydrogen fuel cell systems and mass production experience of hydrogen electric vehicles, and LS Electric, which has been responsible for operating power grid integrated solutions and mass production of various power equipment.

After demonstration of the relevant power generation facilities, the two companies plan to unveil a pilot project power generation system in 2021. By developing a power generation system capable of immediate output adjustment when needed, it is expected to have effects such as ▲emergency power generation and peak power response for buildings and industries ▲reduction of power grid load due to the spread of electrification ▲mitigation of variability in power supply and grid instability from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.

Kim Se-hoon, Executive Director and Head of Hyundai Motor's Fuel Cell Business Division, said, "Hyundai Motor is promoting the application of hydrogen fuel cell systems not only to passenger cars and commercial vehicles but also to ships and trains," adding, "This cooperation is the first step toward the full-scale expansion of the power generation fuel cell market."

Oh Jae-seok, Vice President and Head of LS Electric's Global Business Division, also said, "The hydrogen fuel cell power generation system completed through this agreement has the advantage of being able to actively respond to changes in power supply and demand," adding, "We will ensure that this system can be supplied not only domestically but also to the global power market in the future."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.