Hanwha and Seobu Power Collaborate on Demonstration of Hydrogen-Blended Power Generation Technology

Park Heung-kwon, CEO of Hanwha General Chemical (right), and Kim Byung-sook, President of Korea Western Power, are posing for a commemorative photo after signing the 'Hydrogen Co-firing Power Generation Business Cooperation MOU' on the 30th.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Hanwha General Chemical announced on the 30th that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for hydrogen co-firing power generation business cooperation with Korea Western Power. Through this cooperation, they will collaborate to develop and demonstrate hydrogen co-firing technology in the green new deal low-carbon power generation sector and foster a hydrogen economy ecosystem.

Hydrogen co-firing power generation is a method of generating power by combusting hydrogen and natural gas together in a gas turbine. The higher the hydrogen co-firing ratio, the less carbon dioxide is emitted. In the US and Europe, it is regarded as a preliminary stage to carbon-free hydrogen power generation. Previously, Hanwha General Chemical signed an acquisition agreement for its subsidiaries PSM and ATH, which possess hydrogen co-firing power generation solutions, with Ansaldo Energia. These subsidiaries, affiliated with global gas turbine companies such as Alstom and Ansaldo, have already succeeded in commercializing hydrogen co-firing power generation technology.

Under this MOU, Korea Western Power will provide an 80MW class gas turbine that was operated at the Pyeongtaek 1 combined power plant. Hanwha will use this turbine to conduct life-extension repairs and hydrogen co-firing power generation tests. Technical personnel from Hanwha General Chemical, PSM, ATH, and Korea Western Power will jointly participate in this project.

After demonstration, additional demonstrations are planned to expand the application of hydrogen co-firing technology to existing combined thermal power facilities. The goal is to gradually replace gas turbine fuel from natural gas to hydrogen and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 100%. The company explained, "Through the economical commercialization of hydrogen power generation, we aim to contribute to the government's carbon neutrality efforts as early as possible."

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