Hydrogen Experts Say "No Future for Hydrogen Economy Without Hydrogen Fuel Cells"

Fuel Cells, Domestic Companies Hold Technology Leadership
Urgent Need to Secure Global Competitiveness Through Government Support

(From left) Professor Kim Chang-seop of Gachon University, Professor Baek Cheol-woo of Duksung Women's University, Professor Jo Yoon-sung of Daegu Catholic University, Lee Ji-young, CEO of SK Plug Hyverse, Yoon Kwang-jun, CEO of Exens Suso Drone, and Lee Je-dong, Director of the Aviation Technology Safety Institute at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, are discussing the importance of hydrogen fuel cells at the 'Fuel Cells Opening the Future of the Hydrogen Economy' talk show held at KINTEX in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province on the 1st. Photo by SK E&S

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seoyoon] Experts have suggested that to expand the hydrogen economy for carbon neutrality, active promotion of the hydrogen fuel cell industry is essential.

According to SK E&S on the 2nd, a talk show titled "Fuel Cells Opening the Future of the Hydrogen Economy" was held the previous day at KINTEX in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province during 'H2 MEET 2022'. The talk show was organized to review the current status of the hydrogen ecosystem and explore directions for the development of the hydrogen economy.

Moderated by Professor Kim Changseop of Gachon University (former chairman of the Korea Energy Agency), the talk show featured experts in industrial promotion such as Professor Baek Cheolwoo from Duksung Women's University. For application fields, Professor Cho Yoonseong from Daegu Catholic University, Lee Ji-young, CEO of SK Plug Hybus, Yoon Kwangjun, CEO of Exens Hydrogen Drone, and Lee Jedong, Director of the Aviation Technology Safety Institute at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, participated in a heated discussion.

The experts attending the discussion unanimously agreed that with the Russia-Ukraine situation emphasizing the importance of energy security worldwide, now is the time to further enhance the competitiveness of the next-generation energy industry, hydrogen.

First, moderator Professor Kim Changseop of Gachon University opened the discussion by stating that in the early stages of creating a hydrogen industry ecosystem, quantitative growth through expanded hydrogen utilization is important, and began the discussion on hydrogen applications.

Professor Baek Cheolwoo of Duksung Women's University stated that hydrogen energy is not only a future energy source for carbon neutrality but also a growth engine capable of creating various industrial ecosystems, thus requiring national-level promotion. He emphasized that while hydrogen use in carbon-intensive industries such as steel and refining is necessary, realistically, expansion in hydrogen fuel cells and hydrogen mobility sectors is crucial.

He particularly noted that hydrogen fuel cells have the advantage of domestic companies holding technological leadership, allowing the entire related industry to grow. He mentioned expectations for revitalization not only in large corporations like Doosan and Hyundai Motor Company but also in secondary and tertiary industries. Furthermore, considering that countries like the United States and China are recently expanding support for their domestic companies to grow the hydrogen industry, he urged that Korea also needs proactive government policies to foster the hydrogen industry to secure a competitive edge in the global industrial competition.

Professor Cho Yoonseong of Daegu Catholic University, an expert in hydrogen power generation, shared the same view on the advantages of fuel cells. Professor Cho explained that fuel cells have high utility as flexible resources that can complement the output variability and intermittency of renewable energy, compensating for the shortcomings of ESS and pumped storage. He added that fuel cells are suitable from an efficiency perspective with existing resources because they do not burden the power grid regardless of scale. He also stated that large fuel cells, compared to traditional power generation methods, produce no noise or vibration and emit no air pollutants, making them an eco-friendly power source and a key resource for future power grids.

Lee Ji-young, CEO of SK Plug Hybus, agreed that fuel cells should be distributed as a means to lay the foundation for the early hydrogen industry. She explained that mass distribution of fuel cells can promote technological development, and achieving economies of scale will reduce equipment costs in material development and production processes, enabling domestic companies to gain global competitiveness. She also emphasized that since fuel cell technology is closely related to water electrolysis technology, developing fuel cell technology will lead to securing water electrolysis capabilities, playing a crucial role in pioneering the future green hydrogen industry.

Following this, Yoon Kwangjun, CEO of Exens, urged the government to actively improve regulations as hydrogen fuel cells are used not only for power generation but also in various mobility sectors such as hydrogen aviation and hydrogen ships.

Lee Jedong, Director at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, explained that hydrogen is gaining attention as a sustainable energy source especially in the aviation sector among transportation modes, and suggested that sufficient research and government support are needed for hydrogen-related technologies such as hydrogen fuel cell power generation and hydrogen storage.

Meanwhile, at the welcoming speech, Choo Hyungwook, CEO of SK E&S, stated, "Hydrogen fuel cells, which aim to achieve both the expansion of the hydrogen economy and the fostering of future growth industries, are the 'rice of the hydrogen economy.'" He added, "It is a time when government support is needed, such as supporting the achievement of economies of scale through the expansion of the hydrogen power generation market and introducing a certification system within the year to promote early diffusion of clean hydrogen."

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