Daejeon City in South Korea has unveiled an innovative approach to hydrogen supply. The city announced on the 4th of October that it will provide hydrogen directly to the Nangwol hydrogen filling station through pipelines, marking a milestone in the region’s hydrogen infrastructure.
This groundbreaking endeavor aims to enhance the stability of hydrogen supply and reduce costs, benefiting both the environment and citizens alike.
The core of this initiative is the hydrogen production facility adjacent to the Nangwol hydrogen filling station in Gudo-dong, Dong-gu. The total project cost amounted to 11.9 billion won, with contributions from various sectors. The government provided 4.9 billion won, Daejeon City covered 1.5 billion won (land cost), Daejeon City Corporation contributed 2 billion won, and the private sector invested 3.5 billion won. This substantial investment underscores the commitment to a greener future.
The facility has the capacity to produce 1.2 tons of hydrogen per day, equivalent to fueling 300 passenger cars (4 kg/day per vehicle) or 80 buses (15 kg/day per vehicle). This level of production aligns with the growing demand for hydrogen-powered vehicles in the region.
One of the primary advantages of directly supplying hydrogen from the production facility to the Nangwol filling station is the improved stability of hydrogen supply. This innovation ensures that citizens relying on the hydrogen filling station can access it consistently, mitigating concerns related to unexpected shutdowns, such as cargo union strikes or disruptions in hydrogen supplier operations.
Daejeon City Corporation has strategic plans for further expanding its hydrogen supply network. Beginning in 2024, they intend to construct a hydrogen delivery facility, which will supply hydrogen to the Nangwol hydrogen bus charging station. Any surplus hydrogen will then be distributed to the Hakha and Sindae hydrogen charging stations within the city’s jurisdiction via a hydrogen tube trailer.
This expansion not only bolsters the safety and reliability of hydrogen supply at Daejeon City’s hydrogen filling stations but also holds the potential to reduce hydrogen sales prices, making clean energy more accessible to the masses.
As of September, Daejeon boasts a total of 9 (13) hydrogen filling stations and 1,500 (1451 passenger vehicles, 49 buses) hydrogen-powered vehicles, emphasizing the city’s commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable future.