Hyundai Engineering is participating in the development of a hybrid electrolysis plant that combines alkaline (ALK) and proton exchange membrane (PEM) methods. The project aims to develop and validate technology that adjusts hydrogen production in response to fluctuations in renewable energy generation, such as wind power. Hyundai Engineering will be responsible for plant design and the development of an integrated control system.
On October 8, Hyundai Engineering announced its involvement in the 'Development of Electrolysis System Technology Responding to Renewable Energy-Grid Variability' project, which is being promoted by the Korea Energy Technology Evaluation Institute under the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment. The project is led by Jeju Energy Corporation, with participation from Hyundai Construction, Hyundai Motor Company, the Korea Power Exchange, and Jeju National University.
This research will be conducted over 44 months, concluding in March 2030, with a total project cost of 35 billion won, of which 19.3 billion won will come from government funding. A partnership agreement was signed with the Korea Energy Technology Evaluation Institute on September 14, marking the start of the technology development.
Electrolysis is a technology that produces hydrogen by splitting water using electricity. This project will operate both the cost-effective and continuous-operation-friendly ALK method and the PEM method, which can quickly respond to power fluctuations. The goal is to enhance the stability and economic viability of hydrogen production, even when wind power generation experiences sudden increases or decreases.
The HMG Construction Technology Research Institute, a joint research and development organization of Hyundai Engineering and Hyundai Construction, will design the electrolysis stack, balance of plant (BOP), electrical equipment (E-BOP), and hydrogen purification facilities as a single plant. An integrated system will also be developed to control the facilities based on renewable energy generation and the state of the power system.
Hyundai Engineering has previously participated in the establishment of a hydrogen production base using electrolysis in Boryeong, Chungnam, and the development of a 5MW PEM electrolysis system in Jeju. The company plans to utilize the operational and validation data from this hybrid project for future large-scale hydrogen production plant initiatives.
A Hyundai Engineering official stated, “We will strengthen our competitiveness in the electrolysis plant business by combining the technology and validation experience accumulated through this project with our existing EPC capabilities.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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