HD Hyundai Infracore Co. has been awarded the Korean government’s inaugural project aimed at developing hydrogen-powered generators, marking a significant step forward in the country’s push towards sustainable energy solutions. The construction equipment and engine manufacturing giant announced on Thursday that it will spearhead the creation of generators capable of producing 500 kilowatts-electric (kWe) using hydrogen as the sole combustion fuel. This initiative is part of a broader effort to establish distributed generation systems that rely on cleaner energy sources.
The ambitious project is backed by the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning, a state-run entity, which has committed a substantial investment of 14 trillion won (approximately $1 billion) over the next three years, with the project slated for completion by June 2027.
Beyond this national initiative, HD Hyundai has independently developed a 200 kWe hydrogen combustion engine generator tailored for commercial vehicles. The company is currently testing this technology, with plans to commence mass production by the end of 2025.
In addition to its hydrogen combustion engines, HD Hyundai is pioneering recycling technology to repurpose waste heat generated by these systems. The company is also exploring the feasibility of using both hydrogen and ammonia as dual fuels in their generators.
To facilitate the demonstration and implementation of this cutting-edge technology, HD Hyundai will collaborate with Korea East-West Power Co., Korea Western Power Co., and Pyeongtaek City Corp., which will provide support through their hydrogen supply facilities.
Moreover, HD Hyundai plans to work alongside these power utilities to develop hydrogen engines designed for emergency power supply systems, renewable energy installations within industrial complexes, and electricity provision for data centers.
This project comes at a time when the global hydrogen generator market is experiencing robust growth. According to MarketsandMarkets Research, the market is projected to expand at an average annual rate of 10.2%, reaching a value of $257.9 billion by 2028, up from $158.8 billion in 2023.
Next month, HD Hyundai Infracore is set to unveil prototypes of its hydrogen engine and hydrogen power generator at H2 MEET 2024, South Korea’s premier hydrogen industry exhibition, underscoring the company’s leadership in this emerging sector.
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