[Koreatimes]Hydrogen will play key role in reducing carbon emissions globally

By Jung Da-hyun

Hylium Industries, a company dedicated to advancing technologies utilizing liquid hydrogen, focuses on utilizing the technology in the mobility sector to reduce carbon emissions amid the global environmental crisis.

“Hydrogen is the only energy that provides chemical energy without emitting carbon. From this perspective, hydrogen technology represents the future we must prioritize,” said Kim Seo-young, CEO of Hylium Industries, during a recent interview with The Korea Times.

He emphasized the significance of hydrogen technology as a carbon-neutral energy source.

“With Korea ranking ninth among the top carbon-emitting countries globally, the nation has a responsibility to curtail emissions, especially considering its significant industrial energy consumption,” he said.

“Many industries still rely on chemical energy, while hydrogen is the carbon-free option.”

The company focuses on advancements in compact hydrogen liquefaction and ultra-light hydrogen storage technologies. The key benefit of liquefied hydrogen lies in its capacity to securely transport substantial quantities of hydrogen through compression.

Liquid hydrogen technology has been in use for nearly half a century in the United States and Europe. The technology was predominantly used in rocket launches.

Particularly in the U.S., the utilization of liquefied hydrogen technology emerged as a reliable method for transporting vast quantities of hydrogen over thousands of kilometers to space centers.

Hylium Industries distinguishes itself in the field of liquefied hydrogen technology by focusing on its adaptation to the mobility sector, including drones, vessels and cars.

Kim expressed confidence in the company's leading position in liquefied hydrogen technology within the mobility sector. He also expects an expansive market growth of hydrogen technology shortly.

“As global efforts to reduce carbon emissions intensify, vehicles using hydrogen are poised to become increasingly prevalent,” he said.

He also emphasized the potential for hydrogen as an alternative energy source, especially in bulkier vehicles such as aircraft, ships and trains.

While mobility using hydrogen holds vast potential, public awareness remains relatively low in Korea.

“There is resistance from residents when building hydrogen gas filling stations, citing concerns akin to the not in my backyard (NIMBY) phenomenon,” Kim said.

He stated that promoting public familiarity with hydrogen technology is crucial for its widespread acceptance and adoption.

Furthermore, Kim underscored the need for institutional support to expedite the commercialization of hydrogen technologies, such as safety standards for hydrogen technology, performance evaluation standards and qualification for industry professionals.

“Establishing regulatory frameworks is important for the swift dissemination of eco-friendly hydrogen technology,” he said.

Hylium Industries is actively involved in conducting research and developing technology domestically, while also exporting its liquefied hydrogen technologies worldwide.

Through strategic collaborations, including a recent memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed with the Gas und Warm Institute (GWI) in Essen, Germany, the Korean company aims to contribute to the adoption of hydrogen-based solutions across Europe and beyond.

“Hylium's liquefied hydrogen developments are gaining traction globally, with our technologies reaching markets in France, the United Kingdom, the United States, China and Israel,” Kim said.

“We hope hydrogen can play a pivotal role in energy conversion, instead of being just a new technology.”

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/04/113_372168.html