Embracing H2 As a Whole
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v.1.1/03042020/KNS Factsheet Series No. 1 EMBRACING H2 AS A WHOLE Building up a hydrogen economy and society as a whole counts as one of South Korea’s most ambitious plans. Where are the opportunities in the South Korean hydrogen market? What do Swiss exporters need to know about it? This factsheet provides an overview on the hydrogen market, policy and business opportunities in the Korean hydrogen economy. Key Points • The government is supporting up- and downstream hydrogen industries through key projects, investment and deregulation • Industry strengths: Fuel cell electric vehicles, fuel cells, applications • Key opportunity areas: Production, storage, and distribution MARKET OVERVIEW In recent years, South Korea has emerged as a strong proponent of fuel cells and hydrogen energy. Based on supportive policy measures and innovation from local industry, the country is positioned to become a global leader in fuel cells which are used for powering vehicles or providing electricity. South Korea’s key industries such as the automotive, shipbuilding and petrochemicals are already equipped with world-class technology for hydrogen utilization, especially in mobility (vehicles, drones, etc.) and applications (fuel cells). In January 2019, South Korea legislated world's first hydrogen law ("Hydrogen Economy Promotion and Hydrogen Safety Management Act") to secure grounds for promoting the hydrogen economy & society in the long-term. However, the country is lagging in upstream technologies such as production, storage, as well as distribution infrastructure/equipment. Thereof, the importance of acquiring upstream technologies is addressed in the country’s Hydrogen Economy Roadmap, which aims to foster new industries, to reduce greenhouse gases and fine dust, and to ensure energy security. BACKGROUND In January 2019, South Korea laid out the Hydrogen Economy Roadmap (hereinafter: the roadmap) to develop technology and infrastructure needed for a hydrogen economy. The roadmap focuses on hydrogen-powered vehicles, fuel cells for household and industrial use, hydrogen production/ storage/ distribution. Its implementation is mainly supported by H2KOREA, a public-private sector alliance formed to promote the shift to a hydrogen economy. Its key tasks involve aligning policies with valid business models, boosting R&D and commercialization of hydrogen technology, expanding hydrogen production and distribution infrastructure, and fostering global cooperation hydrogen network. South Korea targets to achieve an annual production of 5.26 million tons of hydrogen by 2040 (up from 130,000 tons in 2018); thereby, halving the average hydrogen cost to KRW 3,000 (USD 2.59) per kilogram. It also aims to produce over six million hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Commercial vehicles such as city buses and taxis considerably can run longer distances than general vehicles, which greatly contributes to better air quality. In Seoul, there are currently 10 hydrogen taxis operating and seven hydrogen city buses will be introduced within this year. Nationwide, there are currently 35 hydrogen-powered buses running, with the figure set to reach 2,000 units in 2022. By 2040, South Korea will operate 40,000 hydrogen-powered buses, 80,000 hydrogen taxis and 30,000 hydrogen trucks on its roads - all powered by 1,200 hydrogen refueling stations. On the stationary power side, the country wants to build on its lead in fuel cells for utility power generation, while also placing increased focus on fuel cells for residential and commercial use. In 20 years, South Korea aims to produce 15GW of fuel cells for its industries and export markets. The government expects that developing hydrogen economy by 2040 can create approximately 43 trillion KRW (36.7 billion CHF) in economic value as well as 420,000 jobs. Goals of the Hydrogen Economy Roadmap Hydrogen Hydrogen Hydrogen Fueling Fuel cells for Year supply price vehicles stations industrial household (ton/ year) (USD/ kg) (Unit) (Unit) use (GW) use (MW) 2040F 5,260,000 2.59 6,200,000 1,200 15.0 2,100 2022F 470,000 5.17 81,000 310 1.5 50 2018 130,000 - 2,000 14 0.3 7 As a milestone to integrate hydrogen into the economy and society, South Korea initiated three test city projects to apply hydrogen technologies in residential and transportation industries: 1) Ansan focuses on green hydrogen production connected with tidal power generation. The city aims to create a hydrogen ecosystem which involves production, storage, transport, and utilization of hydrogen. A state-run apartment complex with more than 200 households as well as start-up incubators, logistic centers, and sewage treatment plants will use heating systems run by hydrogen; 2) South Korea’s industry powerhouse Ulsan develops a pipeline network using IoT technology to deliver by-product hydrogen from large-scale petrochemical plants to buildings and fuel stations. It also wants to demonstrate forklifts and ships run by hydrogen; 3) Hydrogen production facilities will be built in Wanju, supplying Jeonju with hydrogen. Wanju will serve as a hydrogen production base and supply 408 households with hydrogen. Jeonju, where Hyundai Motor’s hydrogen car NEXO is produced, will use hydrogen to operate 49 city and shuttle buses. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS Despite the corona virus outbreak and limited company activities around Daegu and Ulsan area, the government is ambitiously stepping up to implement its plans based on the roadmap. The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Energy (MOTIE) announced to invest more than 16 million USD in constructing hydrogen refueling stations exclusively for buses and boost development of local-made main parts. Korea Gas Technology Corporation is currently building 16 hydrogen refueling stations nationwide. Korea Midland Power Co. (KOMIPO), one of South Korea’s six regional power generation companies, has initiated a technology development project for producing hydrogen with organic waste. 2/8 KEY AREAS MOBILITY Vehicles With a global market share of 50%, South Korea is the first country that succeeded in mass producing hydrogen-powered cars: Hyundai Motors became the world’s first automaker to commercialize fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEV) with the introduction of ix35 Fuel Cell - also known as Tucson Fuel Cell - in 2013. Hyundai’s second-generation FCEV, the NEXO, has a range of over 609 kilometers and emits clean water vapor and purifies the air while driving. Hyundai leads the global pack in FCEV, alongside Japan’s Toyota. For the local market, Hyundai Motors plans to produce 500,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles and supply 200,000 fuel cell systems per year by 2030, investing a total of 7.6 trillion KRW (6.5 billion USD) along with its 124 partnering companies to expand related research and development efforts. Opportunities The main import items in the FCEV field are electrolyte membranes & gas diffusion layers applied in stacks, high-pressure vessels, carbon composites, bipolar plates used in stacks and vessels, and power devices necessary for power control units. Also, parts for power converters as well as high- pressure valves, regulators, safety devices used in storage devices are dependent on import. Best Practice Examples There are crucial joint projects ongoing between Hyundai Motors and several Swiss companies: 1) Hyundai Motors has established a Joint Venture with Swiss-based H2 Energy AG called Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility AG. From 2019 to 2025, Hyundai Motors will deliver 1,600 hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks; H2 Mobility Switzerland will then lease a large portion of these more energy-efficient trucks. 2) Hyundai Motors further will invest in the Swiss GRZ Technologies, an EPFL spinoff. Storage tanks from GRZ Technologies can store up to 10 times more hydrogen than other tanks, even at a lower pressure. This company also has technology that can reduce the cost of maintaining hydrogen fueling stations and reduce the time it takes for fueling vehicles. 3) Hydro Spider AG, which is the result of the collaboration between Alpiq, H2 Energy, and Linde, works closely with Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility. Drones Doosan Mobility Innovation (DMI) became the first company in the world to commercialize hydrogen- powered drones when it launched its DS30 drone system in October 2019. The drone is able to stay airborne for two hours and is aimed primarily at global infrastructure and logistics markets. For entering the US market, DMI has signed an agreement with Microsoft to develop solutions for its hydrogen fuel cell drones. They will develop drone software and monitoring solutions using Microsoft’s cloud platform, Auzure, and AI and IoT, and push for joint sales. DMI also partnered with two U.S. companies: ReadyH2 will supply with hydrogen to deliver it to DMI’s customers in the USA. Another agreement was signed with Skyfire Consulting, an US public safety drone operation service company, to implement a pipeline check project in the USA. Last year, it 3/8 successfully carried out a test with Skyfire to deliver medicine to its destination at 70 kilometers away from the starting point. Meta Vista Inc. used a quadcopter drone powered by a 650 watt fuel cell module provided by Intelligent Energy. The UK-based firm developed an ultra-lightweight liquid hydrogen storage tank to work in conjunction with the fuel cell. MetaVista used 390 grams of liquid hydrogen on the test flight and the combined result of both companies’ technologies was a drone boasting an energy density of 1,865 watt- hours per kilogram. Both companies suggest fuel cells can result in significantly longer flight times than can be offered by traditional battery-powered units. Hyundai Motors and Uber will collaborate on developing self-flying electric cars designed to carry up to four passengers with a pilot and fly on trips of up to 100 km. Hyundai will produce and deploy the vehicles while Uber will provide aerial ride-share services. These electric air taxis will most probably powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Opportunities Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) and Zurich (ETH) and the University of Zurich are at the forefront of flying robotics and unmanned systems.