Hyundai works with Doosan Fuel Cell to test hydrogen fuel cells as distributed power source

[Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group ]

SEOUL -- South Korea's Hyundai auto group joined hands with Doosan Fuel Cell, the clean energy wing of Doosan Group, to verify the role of hydrogen fuel cells as a distributed power source through the test operation of a power generation system for microgrids. Distributed energy systems, which generate and store power near the point of consumption, can accommodate a variety of renewable and alternative energy sources.

The fuel cell distributed power generation system was completed on October 14 in the southeastern industrial city of Ulsan to demonstrate a combination of different fuel cell systems including 500kW polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) produced by the auto group and Doosan's 440kW phosphoric acid fuel cells.

PEMFC is a type of fuel cell being developed mainly for transport applications as well as for stationary and portable fuel-cell applications due to its high energy efficiency, simple structure and excellent durability. PAFC, which uses liquid phosphoric acid as an electrolyte, has improved significantly in stability, performance, and cost, becoming a good candidate for stationary power generators with output in the 100kW to 400kW range.

"The two companies competing in the hydrogen business have established a partnership with this demonstration to enhance the national competitiveness of fuel cell power generation," Oh Jae-hyuk, head of Hyundai's new energy business development division, said in a statement.

Distributed energy resource systems are decentralized, modular, and more flexible technologies, typically using renewable energy sources. Contrary to centralized microgrids, localized, small-scale microgrids strengthen grid resilience and help mitigate grid disturbances.

Doosan and Hyundai will operate the fuel cell power generation system in a fluctuating load method to verify the supplementary function for the volatility of renewable energy affected by changes in the natural environment. if the system is combined with renewable energy and operated in a variable load method, it can quickly control electricity production according to changes in power demand to compensate for the volatility of renewable energy and solve the imbalance in supply and demand.

South Korea is investing heavily to utilize hydrogen fuel cells as a new power source. The Hyundai auto group has enhanced its renewable energy sector as energy storage demand is growing thanks to the global transition from carbon-intensive energy sources to natural gas and renewable source solutions.

Lim Chang-won cwlim34@ajunews.com

Hyundai works with Doosan Fuel Cell to test hydrogen fuel cells as distributed power source

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