Hyundai Engineering Signs Agreement for Green Hydrogen Production Technology Development Using Nuclear Power

Hyundai ENG, POSCO, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, and 3 Other Companies and Institutions Collaborate to Develop Green Hydrogen Production Technology
High-Temperature Gas Reactor with Superior Energy Efficiency and Eco-Friendliness Compared to Conventional Reactors...Mass Hydrogen Production Expected

On the 16th, at the POSCO Center in Seoul, Kim Chang-hak, CEO of Hyundai Engineering (left), and Yoo Byung-ok, Vice President of POSCO, took a commemorative photo after signing an MOU. At POSTECH in Pohang (shown on the monitor in the photo), Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do, Jeon Chan-gul, Mayor of Uljin County, Kim Moo-hwan, President of Pohang University of Science and Technology, Park Won-seok, Director of the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, and Yoo Sung, Director of the Pohang Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, attended and took a commemorative photo. / Photo by Hyundai Engineering.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kangwook Cho] Hyundai Engineering announced on the 16th that it has signed a mutual business agreement (MOU) for the development of “nuclear-powered green hydrogen production technology” with POSCO, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, Uljin County, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), RIST (Research Institute of Industrial Science & Technology, Pohang), and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute.

The signing ceremony, held via video conference between POSCO Center in Seoul and POSTECH in Gyeongsangbuk-do, was attended by Hyundai Engineering CEO Changhak Kim, POSCO Vice President Byungok Yoo, Gyeongsangbuk-do Governor Cheolwoo Lee, Uljin County Mayor Changgeol Jeon, POSTECH President Muhwan Kim, RIST Director Seong Yoo, and Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute Director Wonseok Park. They gathered to unite their efforts for the mass production and utilization of green hydrogen, which is gaining attention as a next-generation eco-friendly energy source.

The business agreement signed by the seven companies and institutions, including Hyundai Engineering, covers seven areas: ▲development of high-temperature hydrogen production technology ▲development of core technologies for high-temperature water electrolysis ▲development of design/analysis/manufacturing technologies for high-temperature water electrolysis systems ▲development of small reactor heat exchanger technology ▲development and commercialization of nuclear-powered high-temperature water electrolysis technology ▲other nuclear-utilized hydrogen production, demonstration technology development and support ▲activation of the regional hydrogen economy and job creation. Through close cooperation in these areas, they plan to secure competitiveness in domestic micro modular reactor (MMR) technology and contribute to the activation of the hydrogen economy.

Each party will jointly participate in green hydrogen production technology development based on active mutual exchange of human resources, technical information, research facilities, and equipment. Green hydrogen refers to hydrogen produced without generating carbon dioxide by using renewable and nuclear energy, making it a highly eco-friendly hydrogen.

The core area of this agreement, hydrogen production using high-temperature gas reactors, is a high-efficiency energy production technology that produces large amounts of hydrogen by electrolyzing water through high-temperature water electrolysis, utilizing the high temperature of up to 750 degrees Celsius generated during electricity production. Additionally, no greenhouse gases are emitted during production, and unlike conventional reactors, helium gas is used as a coolant, reducing the risk of radioactive contamination, thus attracting attention as an eco-friendly technology.

Previously, Hyundai Engineering has been leading the small reactor EPC sector by collaborating with USNC Corporation in the United States and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute on a project to build a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor at the Chalk River Laboratories located northeast of Toronto, Canada.

A Hyundai Engineering official said, “This MOU is expected to be a meaningful opportunity where seven different companies and institutions cooperate not only for simple technology development but also to lay the foundation for the activation of Korea’s hydrogen economy in the future.” He added, “We plan to focus our capabilities on achieving significant results by closely cooperating and communicating with the partner companies and institutions that have outstanding experience and know-how in each field.”

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