"In an Era Where Energy Becomes a Weapon, Hydrogen Will Be the Alternative"

H2 MEET International Hydrogen Conference Held at KINTEX

Jung Manki, Chairman of the Korea Industrial Federation Forum / Photo by Yoon Dongju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Jeong Manki, Chairman of the Korea Industrial Federation Forum, stated at the H2 MEET International Hydrogen Conference held on the 2nd, "The hydrogen industry value chain cannot be monopolized by any single country or company, so no nation will be able to weaponize it." He explained that although the global economy is shaking due to fierce hegemonic competition over energy resources, such as the West cutting off natural gas supplies through sanctions on Russia, such situations would not occur if hydrogen were widely used.

Jeong, who serves as the organizing chairman of H2 MEET, a specialized hydrogen industry exhibition event, said before the conference began, "After Russia invaded Ukraine, the European Union declared energy independence, Russia weaponized its resources, and the United States banned imports of Russian fossil fuels." He added, "Unlike fossil energy, which has become a means to shake the global economy and sanction neighboring countries, realizing a hydrogen energy society cannot be achieved without international cooperation."

The conference consisted of panel discussions sharing development plans for the hydrogen industry and the latest technology trends in the hydrogen sector. The seven keynote speakers were all international presenters, and the organizers anticipated it would be an opportunity to share the latest trends on the global stage.

View of the 'H2 MEET 2022' event held at KINTEX Exhibition Hall 2

Lee Chang-yang, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, said in a video congratulatory message, "As climate change becomes increasingly severe, hydrogen is emerging as a major clean energy to achieve carbon neutrality, and from an energy security perspective, hydrogen is gaining attention as an alternative to the existing fossil fuel-centered energy supply system."

He continued, "Korea has secured world-class technology in hydrogen vehicles and fuel cells, so if countries strong in hydrogen utilization like Korea and those strong in hydrogen production join forces, the world can accelerate the implementation of the hydrogen economy."

Assemblyman Lee Won-wook said, "Although production technology is still insufficient, I believe it will be supplemented through technological development and international cooperation," adding, "In the future, hydrogen energy will complement the intermittency of renewable energy and provide an optimal response to the climate crisis." Tamara Mohini, Charg? d'Affaires of Canada to Korea, stated, "Canada is one of the world's top 10 hydrogen-producing countries and will secure a solid position in the global market by leveraging its natural advantages," and added, "As a trade partner and ally, we will support Korea's energy security."

Alana McTiernan, Minister of Hydrogen Industry of Western Australia, said in her keynote speech, "Western Australia will emerge as a global hydrogen hub supplying hydrogen to the Asian region and will be able to carry out various hydrogen projects." Karl Cremier, APAC representative of Argos Media, said, "Green hydrogen is also developing, but its scale is small and there is a large development gap between countries and regions, so localization of each technology and industry is necessary."

In the afternoon session, presentations and panel discussions are scheduled on topics such as the technical characteristics of anion exchange membrane technology, hydrogen storage and transportation methods, and fuel cell system calibration systems.

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