[Courtesy of Hanwha Solutions]
SEOUL -- South Korea's clean energy provider Hanwha Solutions has forged a partnership with the Hyundai auto group's logistics wing to supply hydrogen fuel for charging stations in expressway service areas. The partnership will boost the popularization of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles that are shunned by consumers due to the lack of charging stations.
There are more than 11,000 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) in service and some 60 hydrogen charging stations across South Korea. Because many charging stations are located in the outskirts of cities and rural areas for safety, FCEV operators in urban areas sometimes have to drive more than 20 kilometers (12 miles) from their homes to a hydrogen fuel charging station. It is very hard to find hydrogen stations on expressways.
Hanwha Solutions said in a statement on May 27 that the company would supply 48 tons of hydrogen fuel for two years, starting in July 2021, for use at hydrogen stations on expressway service areas. "Through this supply deal, we will continue to increase the supply volume of hydrogen fuel and build a value chain-based infrastructure."
Hanwha's fuel is green hydrogen that does not release greenhouse emissions during its production process. The hydrogen fuel is manufactured at Hanwha's sodium hydroxide factory in Yeosu some 320 kilometers (198 miles) south of Seoul. Hydrogen, collected through the electrolysis of sodium chloride (salt) and water, will be purified and converted into fuel.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
