Hyosung Heavy Industries has succeeded in commercializing the world’s first ‘hydrogen engine generator’, a key product in the development of next-generation carbon-free power.

□ A 1MW hydrogen engine generator operating in full scale at Hyosung Chemical Yongyeon Plant 2 in Ulsan.

Hyosung Heavy Industries announced on the 9th that it has commenced full-scale operations of the 1MW hydrogen engine generator installed at Hyosung Chemical Yongyeon 2 Plant in Ulsan from mid-April. 

Hyosung Heavy Industries' hydrogen engine generator is an innovative product that can generate power only with 100% hydrogen. Although domestic and foreign companies have already developed ‘hydrogen co-firing generators’ that use other fuels such as natural gas and coal, Hyosung Heavy Industries is the world’s first to have commercialized a product that can generate power only with ‘100% hydrogen’.

□ CO2 reduction of 7,000 tons per year compared to coal-fired power generation, increased with multiple plants being installed in parallel    

Hydrogen engine generators do not emit any carbons during power generation, making it highly effective in reducing carbon dioxide. With the operation of a 1MW hydrogen engine generator using 100% hydrogen as fuel compared to coal-fired power generation, it is possible to reduce carbon dioxide by 7,000 tons per year. Also, a configuration of multiple hydrogen engine generators in parallel significantly reduces carbon dioxide emissions contingent on the amount of power generation.

□ Accelerating the ‘hydrogen combustion’ goal by 20 years ∙∙∙ Poised to contribute to domestic companies’ RE100 achievement 

Hyosung Heavy Industries' hydrogen engine generator is a milestone significant domestically for expedited the government's target of hydrogen combustion by 20 years until 2050. In terms of stability, it is the only domestic company to have passed the safety inspection of Korea Gas Safety Corporation and Korea Electrical Safety Corporation this year and obtained the permit for commercial operation.

Given that the ultimate goal of the clean hydrogen power generation system that the government will launch in June this year is carbon reduction, hydrogen engine generators are highly anticipated to kickstart the clean hydrogen power generation market.

In addition, the industry acclaims it for greatly enabling companies to build a sustainable manufacturing environment and achieve their RE100 goals in compliance with the Special Act on Distributed Energy Promotion , set to take effect this June. The reason is that hydrogen engines can be used as fuel without distinguishing between hydrogen and natural gas, and can be operated by adjusting the ratio of full-burn or co-firing hydrogen based on the price of clean hydrogen.

□ “As a result of integrating all of Hyosung’s hydrogen technologies, we will take leadership in kickstarting the hydrogen economy.”

CEO Tae-hee Woo of Hyosung Heavy Industries, said, “The success of commercializing hydrogen engine generators is attributed to Hyosung Heavy Industries’ consolidating the technology, prowess and know-how it has built up in the hydrogen industrial sector, including construction and operation of hydrogen charging stations and electric power equipment, as well we liquefied hydrogen plant construction.” He added, “We will proactively strive to take a leadership role in kickstarting the hydrogen economy by pioneering the hydrogen engine power generation market, with a commitment to contributing to companies’ establishment of a sustainable business environment, including power generation companies.” 

Meanwhile, in July of last year, Hyosung Heavy Industries signed a memorandum of agreement with INNIO Jenbacher, an Austrian gas engine specialist, for a hydrogen engine generator demonstration project, and has been kickstarting the field of hydrogen engine generator development.