Governmental energy organizations hasten the development of infrastructure to establish a clean hydrogen ecosystem. KEPCO intends to accelerate the development of hydrogen power production technology, and companies engaged in the oil and gas industry intend to construct infrastructure and facilities for acquisition.
At the “3rd Hydrogen Economic Council for Public Energy Institutions” held on the 2nd at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul under the auspices of Cheon Young-gil, head of the Energy Policy Office, the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy discussed the strategy to develop a clean hydrogen ecosystem.
Based on its expertise introducing liquefied natural gas (LNG) and developing infrastructure, KOGAS wants to create a 100,000 tons capacity liquefied hydrogen infrastructure overseas by 2029. They will lay out the key requirements for procuring liquefied hydrogen carriers this year and begin conceptual design work on the liquefied hydrogen receiving base. A fuel called liquid hydrogen is created by chilling hydrogen to below-freezing temperatures. Only water, ozone, and hydrogen peroxide are created as compared to kerosene, making it a favored choice for a future energy source.
Additionally, it intends to develop a hydrogen mixing pilot operation at an LNG power plant in Jeju in 2024 and construct a demonstration facility for hydrogen mixing using existing natural gas pipes in the Pyeongtaek region.
The primary method of exporting clean hydrogen is through the infrastructure that Korea National Oil Corporation constructs for ammonia distribution. In the West Sea, East Sea, and South Sea regions, where coal power plants are concentrated, the design of acquisition bases will start this year and be finished by 2026. It intends to construct an ammonia-to-hydrogen cracking facility close to the acquisition base to provide hydrogen for LNG-hydrogen hybrid power generation beginning in 2027.
The five KEPCO-affiliated power firms want to advance clean hydrogen and ammonia commercial power production starting in 2028 by securing hydrogen co-firing technology by 2026 through government research and development (R&D) and power generating field demonstration. Building infrastructure for its own ammonia co-fired power generating, including storage tanks and unloading docks, will be undertaken by Korea Southern Power in cooperation with private businesses.
In the first half of this year, the government intends to launch a “hydrogen power generating bidding market” and encourage the development of a clean hydrogen ecosystem through initiatives such overseas hydrogen introduction trial projects and regulatory changes for hydrogen power generation.
