Korea plans unique hydrogen liquefaction plant
South Korean gas importer Kogas and refining group GS Caltex have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on building a hydrogen liquefaction plant, the companies said on May 28.
The plant would be constructed at a Kogas LNG regasification terminal, making use of the facility's waste heat and cold energy to produce up to 10,000 metric tons/year of liquid hydrogen by 2024. This would mark the first time such a technique has been used to liquefy hydrogen, and should reduce the cost by 30%, according to Kogas.
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Liquid hydrogen takes up one third of the space as gaseous hydrogen, GS Caltex said, noting that the plant would provide enough hydrogen to power some 80,000 hydrogen fuel cell cars. The two companies also plan to build liquid hydrogen charging stations around Seoul and other regions.
"By combining GS Caltex’s experience in running gas and charging stations and the experience of Kogas in the LNG business, the two companies will create synergy in the hydrogen business," GS Caltex CEO Hur Sae-Hong said in a statement.
South Korea is looking to expand the share of hydrogen in its energy mix to 5% by 2040 as part of plans to decarbonise its economy.