'Seawater to Hydrogen Fuel' Ship to Be World's First Commercialized

Korea Institute of Materials Science - Pusan National University - Hyundai Heavy Industries Sign Business Agreement

Ship reference photo. Not related to the article.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] South Korea is set to officially launch a project to produce hydrogen using seawater for the first time in the world, utilizing it as fuel for ship engines.

The Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) signed a business agreement on the 6th with Hyundai Heavy Industries Engine & Machinery Division and Pusan National University to jointly develop green hydrogen production systems and eco-friendly technologies.

These three organizations agreed to collaborate on the world's first development and commercialization of a seawater-based hydrogen production system, whereas current hydrogen fuel market electrolysis systems use freshwater. The goal is to combine the university's fundamental technology, the national research institute's commercialization technology, and the industry's business technology to jointly develop green hydrogen production technology, ship engines, eco-friendly energy, and core technologies for performance improvement.

Specifically, Pusan National University possesses core electrode catalyst technology for the electrolysis system. KIMS has developed an anion exchange membrane seawater electrolysis technology based on non-precious metals. Hyundai Heavy Industries has experience in developing ship engines.

KIMS will be responsible for commercializing and scaling up the developed electrode catalysts and conducting demonstrations. Hyundai Heavy Industries will lead the demonstration and commercialization of a MW-class green hydrogen production system utilizing surplus in-house electricity. Pusan National University will work on developing high-efficiency, low-cost catalyst fundamental technology that surpasses European electrolysis systems.

The three institutions plan to establish a virtuous cycle structure that not only develops fundamental technologies but also produces trained researchers from universities and research institutes and facilitates their employment in the industry.

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