Hyundai Engineering-SK Ecoplant-USNC Sign Tripartite MOU for Hydrogen Production

Joint Research and Development for Commercialization of 'Hydrogen Micro Hub' Over the Next 5 Years

Hyundai Engineering and SK Eco Plant are collaborating with USNC, a U.S.-based specialist company in Micro Modular Reactors (MMR), to conduct research and development for carbon-free hydrogen production.

On the 20th, Hyundai Engineering, SK Eco Plant, and USNC announced that they signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at SK Eco Plant headquarters in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to establish a "Hydrogen Micro Hub (H2 Micro Hub)."

Hong Hyun-seong (center), CEO of Hyundai Engineering, Park Kyung-il (right), President of SK Ecoplant, and Francesco Veneri, CEO of USNC, are taking a commemorative photo after signing a tripartite MOU to establish a 'Hydrogen Micro Hub.'
[Photo by Hyundai Engineering]

The Hydrogen Micro Hub is a facility that produces hydrogen by applying the high-temperature electrolysis process of Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells (SOEC) to electricity and high-temperature steam generated from MMR. It is a carbon-free hydrogen production method that uses electricity generated by nuclear power to split water and extract hydrogen.

Through this agreement, the three companies will jointly conduct research and development on an integrated MMR-SOEC plant over the next five years. They plan to explore establishing a cost-competitive hydrogen production system and continue research, development, and demonstration for future hydrogen production and supply projects.

In this project, Hyundai Engineering will oversee MMR-related Balance of Plant (BOP) and EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) tasks, while USNC will handle the design, manufacturing, and supply of the MMR. SK Eco Plant plans to configure a nuclear power-based hydrogen production system using Bloom Energy's SOEC and supply the hydrogen production facilities.

Basic concept diagram of the 'Hydrogen Micro Hub (H2 Micro Hub).' [Data provided by Hyundai Engineering]

Hong Hyun-sung, CEO of Hyundai Engineering, said, “We signed this MOU among the three companies to economically produce and supply hydrogen by combining two eco-friendly technologies, MMR and SOEC.” He added, “Hyundai Engineering continues efforts in various fields to become a global eco-friendly and energy company, including recycling plastic resources, renewable energy such as offshore wind and solar power, and expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure.”

Park Kyung-il, President of SK Eco Plant, stated, “SOEC operates at high temperatures, enabling high-efficiency hydrogen production with low energy consumption, making it an excellent partner to maximize the advantages of the high temperatures generated by MMR.” He added, “In addition to the green hydrogen value chain model based on renewable energy secured by SK Eco Plant, we will lead carbon-free hydrogen production by incorporating economically viable nuclear-powered hydrogen production.”

Francesco Veneri, CEO of USNC, said, “The Hydrogen Micro Hub is an efficient and economical hydrogen production plant capable of producing hydrogen at the scale needed locally.” He added, “The three companies?SK Eco Plant, Hyundai Engineering, and USNC?will contribute to building an efficient hydrogen economy based on the integrated MMR-SOEC plant.”

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