Strengthening hydrogen cooperation: MoU with Chungnam
Recently a delegation of New Energy Coalition and GroenvermogenNL visited Chungnam, South Korea, to exchange knowledge and insights and to establish collaboration on hydrogen. This visit highlights the strong potential for collaboration between two leading regions in the energy transition.
Chungnam is a region with significant industrial activity, home to 14 coal-fired power plants, which together are responsible for nearly 25% of CO2South Korea's emissions. Recognizing the urgent need for decarbonization, the country has developed ambitious plans to transition away from fossil fuels by 2030, with hydrogen playing a central role. This pragmatic approach is based on the principle that no single solution is sufficient; instead, a range of technologies and strategies will collectively shape the future of energy.
South Korea's hydrogen ambitions
With limited domestic fossil fuel resources, South Korea is strategically diversifying its energy portfolio. The country is pursuing balanced investments in green, blue, and turquoise hydrogen technologies, utilizing methods such as:
- Carbon capture and underground storage to produce blue hydrogen.
- Pyrolysis of methane to produce turquoise hydrogen using solid carbon byproducts.
- Biogas-to-liquid technology for cleaner alternatives to diesel.
- The co-firing of ammonia and hydrogen in power plants to reduce emissions.
South Korea's strong focus on high-tech solutions is evident in its significant investments in R&D. The delegation explored advanced fuel cell test centers and witnessed innovations from industry leaders like Hyundai, positioning South Korea as a powerhouse in fuel cell mobility.
Collaboration in action
During the visit, bilateral opportunities were explored through presentations by organizations such as TNO (Netherlands), VTT (Finland), FhA (Aragon, Spain), and FCI (leaders in fuel cell innovation). These discussions resulted in a shared vision for leveraging complementary strengths in technology and production. South Korea's eligibility for Horizon Europe funding next year also opens the door to deeper integration into European research frameworks.
A highlight of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between New Energy Coalition and Chungnam Province to strengthen cooperation in hydrogen technologies. This partnership will focus on mutual knowledge exchange, joint R&D, and the development of high-tech decarbonization solutions.
Why Chungnam is important
Chungnam's pragmatic approach to decarbonization, combined with its advanced hydrogen developments, makes it a key player in the global energy transition. The region's commitment to innovation aligns closely with Dutch expertise in hydrogen, creating fertile ground for influential collaboration.
The way forward
The visit to Chungnam highlights the importance of fostering international partnerships in addressing global challenges. By working together, the Netherlands and South Korea can accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy future by combining South Korea's industrial scale and technological strength with Dutch innovation and expertise in the integrated value chain transition.
Author: Geerte de Jong, hydrogen expert