Pohang City Accelerates Leap to Eco-Friendly Energy City Based on Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Leading Government Hydrogen Energy Policy, Fostering Fuel Cell Certification Center and Specialized Companies

Proactive Establishment of Core Infrastructure for Hydrogen Industry: 'Hydrogen Fuel Cell Certification Center'

Hydrogen Fuel Cell

Pohang City is actively fostering the hydrogen industry based on hydrogen fuel cells, an eco-friendly future energy source, and is accelerating its leap to become a ‘K-Hydrogen Hub City’ leading the hydrogen energy economy.

In July 2021, the Pohang Hydrogen Fuel Cell Certification Center was recognized as an accredited testing institution for hydrogen fuel cell systems by KOLAS (Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme). (Plaque unveiling ceremony)

To this end, the city is focusing on key strategies such as ▲operating the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Certification Center ▲nurturing specialized hydrogen companies, actively responding to the government’s hydrogen energy transition policies.

First, Pohang City, in collaboration with Gyeongbuk Province, is proactively establishing and operating the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Certification Center as a cornerstone for building the hydrogen fuel cell cluster, a key strategy.

The Certification Center was established by integrating equipment built as a fuel cell testbed for the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region and opened at Pohang Technopark in 2019. Since 2021, it has been designated as an internationally accredited testing institution by the Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (KOLAS). This center supports fuel cell companies in developing production technologies, domesticating core components and materials, and evaluating product stability and reliability.

Additionally, the center has established 32 types of certification and evaluation equipment for hydrogen fuel cell products and components and is in the process of being designated as a delegated institution for Korea Industrial Standards (KS) certification. Once KS certification is completed, it is expected to become the only certification center in Korea capable of comprehensive hydrogen fuel cell testing and certification (KOLAS, KS certification, large-scale facilities).

Through this, it will be possible to resolve corporate difficulties, support R&D and testing and certification tasks in the fuel cell field, lead the localization of components, build a solid industrial foundation, and secure a global market advantage by preemptively establishing standardization to foster export industries.

Most importantly, the ‘Pohang Hydrogen Fuel Cell Power Generation Cluster Construction Project,’ selected as a preliminary feasibility study project in 2021, will be fully established from 2024 after the feasibility study. With the establishment of an industrial complex for company agglomeration, a fuel cell component and material performance evaluation center, and a demonstration complex, it is expected to gain momentum in attracting companies.

In particular, once the core infrastructure of the cluster?the Fuel Cell Component and Material Performance Evaluation Center?is built, it will inject new vitality into traditional manufacturing industries, including the local hydrogen industry, and Pohang is expected to be reborn as the ‘Mecca of the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Industry.’

Furthermore, in line with the government’s policy to actively nurture 600 specialized hydrogen companies by 2030, the city supports technology commercialization for Pohang-based hydrogen fuel cell-related companies possessing excellent technologies and business items.

Moreover, the city is promoting the ‘Preliminary Hydrogen Specialized Company Development Support Project,’ which provides consulting from specialized institutions to help companies grow into ‘hydrogen specialized companies’ recognized by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Currently, seven companies with growth potential and technological competitiveness in the Pohang area have been selected.

Additionally, the city is implementing the ‘Hydrogen Fuel Cell Core Component Localization Technology Development Support Project’ to attract production factories within the region for companies with excellent technologies. This project has achieved results such as securing component manufacturing technologies, patent applications, and exhibition promotions, making every effort to nurture specialized hydrogen companies in the region.

Mayor Lee Kang-deok emphasized, “As carbon neutrality implementation and energy transition accelerate worldwide in response to climate change, the value of hydrogen energy is rapidly rising,” adding, “We will focus our capabilities on Pohang’s leap to become Korea’s largest hydrogen fuel cell industry hub city by proactively completing the parts, materials, and assembly value chain in the fuel cell sector, revitalizing the industry, attracting companies, and creating jobs.”