Global 18-member hydrogen alliance launched under S. Korea's chairmanship

[Courtesy of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy]

SEOUL -- A global alliance grouping hydrogen-related organizations from 18 nations has been launched under the chairmanship of South Korea's private-government body, Hydrogen Convergence Alliance (H2KOREA), to strengthen international cooperation for the early establishment of a hydrogen ecosystem.

Hydrogen association representatives from 18 countries participated online and offline in an event in Seoul on May 25 to form the Global Hydrogen Industrial Association Alliance (GHIAA). South Korea was appointed as the first chair country. A secretariat was established at H2KOREA, which serves as a control tower to promote South Korea's hydrogen economy.

The alliance holds regular meetings to strengthen private-centered industrial cooperation to establish networks and data hubs in the hydrogen sector. It would strengthen cooperation in global joint policies, regulations, and demonstrations of technology development by serving as a bridge between government and private sectors.

"Hydrogen, the main means of expanding energy independence and carbon neutrality, will serve as a game-changer in the era of energy conversion," Second Vice Minister Park Il-jun of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said in a congratulatory speech. "We hope that the alliance will further strengthen global cooperation in responding to the global energy market crisis and climate change."

The alliance was attended by representatives from Hydrogen Europe, South Korea, Singapore, Colombia, Denmark, Sweden, Chile, Canada, Australia, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway, France, Britain, Argentina, China and the United States.

Because of growing concerns about a dwindling supply of oil and emissions of pollutants, some countries have actively tried to adopt hydrogen fuel for their public transport system. South Korea has spearheaded a campaign to bring forward a hydrogen society by establishing international standards so that international cooperation between countries and businesses can be achieved more quickly and effectively.

The Seoul government has adopted hydrogen fuel cells and electric batteries as mainstream fuel in the future. However, the commercial use of fuel cell vehicles in South Korea and other countries faces an obstacle due to the lack of charging stations in urban areas. Many city dwellers still think hydrogen fuel charging stations are dangerous.

South Korea's new President Yoon Suk-yeol regards renewable energy as an auxiliary means for nuclear power plants, heralding changes to an energy roadmap pushed by his predecessor, Moon Jae-in, who adopted a "nuclear-exit" policy of phasing out nuclear power plants.

Lim Chang-won cwlim34@ajunews.com

Global 18-member hydrogen alliance launched under S. Korea's chairmanship

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