SK Gas is set to showcase its hydrogen hybrid combustion technology at the Ulsan GPS power plant. This move not only marks a milestone for the power generation industry but also positions South Korea at the forefront of innovative and eco-friendly energy solutions.
The partnership for this pioneering endeavor was solidified through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between SK Gas, the Korea Electric Power Corporation’s Electric Power Research Institute, and Ulsan GPS, a subsidiary of SK Gas. The signing ceremony, held at SK Gas headquarters in Pangyo, was attended by key figures, including Baek Heum-jeong, Vice President of SK Gas, Kim Tae-gyun from the Korea Electric Power Corporation, and Ulsan GPS CEO Cho Seung-ho, along with other stakeholders.
Ulsan GPS, currently under construction, aims to become the world’s first LNG/LPG dual power plant and is scheduled to commence industrial operations in the coming year. With a project value of 1.4 trillion won, this facility boasts two gas turbines with a total capacity of 410.5MW, complemented by a steam turbine generating 406MW. Annually, it will produce a staggering 8.6 million megawatt-hours (MWh) of power, equivalent to the energy needs of 2.8 million households for an entire year.
What sets Ulsan GPS apart is its groundbreaking combustion system, capable of operating seamlessly with both LNG and LPG. This innovative design offers a crucial advantage—flexibility. It allows the power plant to adapt to the ever-changing dynamics of fuel supply and demand, thereby stabilizing power generation costs.
The MOU outlines several key areas of collaboration. Firstly, the partners will work together to optimize the operation of combustors for LNG/LPG power generation, ensuring efficient and eco-friendly energy production. Secondly, the agreement focuses on commissioning and ensuring the stable operation of the Ulsan GPS power plant, a critical aspect of a project of this scale. Thirdly, and perhaps most significantly, the partnership will explore the realms of hydrogen co-firing—a demonstration that holds the promise of revolutionizing power generation.
Hydrogen hybrid combustion is emerging as a game-changer in the energy landscape. It not only reduces carbon emissions but also aligns with the global drive toward carbon neutrality. Unlike traditional methods of hydrogen production, this technology utilizes carbon dioxide as an oxidizing agent, significantly curbing carbon emissions during the process.
Baek Heum-jeong, Vice President of SK Gas, highlighted the broader implications of this initiative. He emphasized that the stable operation of Ulsan GPS will not only enhance domestic electricity supply stability but also bolster national energy security by mitigating the volatility of power generation costs. Moreover, he articulated SK Gas’s vision of becoming a net-zero solution provider by pushing the boundaries of hydrogen power generation, a truly carbon-free energy source that extends beyond LNG.
The impact of this collaboration goes far beyond the confines of the power plant. It propels South Korea into a leadership role in the race for sustainable energy solutions, setting the stage for a future where hydrogen takes center stage in powering our world. As Ulsan GPS and SK Gas advance hydrogen hybrid combustion, they usher in a new era of clean, stable, and environmentally conscious power generation.
