"Residents Who Asked 'Why Did You Bring a Bomb?' Now Say Thank You: Visiting Korea's First Green Hydrogen Demonstration Site [Report]"

Green Hydrogen Production by Electrolyzing Water Using Electricity from Haengwon Wind Power Complex
Commercialization at Hamdeok Green Hydrogen Charging Station
Jeju to Produce 60,000 Tons of Green Hydrogen by 2035
Additional Introduction of 20 Hydrogen Buses Within the Year

On the 19th, upon entering Haengwon-ri, Gujwa-eup, Jeju, several large wind turbines were spinning vigorously against the strong sea breeze. Haengwon-ri, well known among Jeju tourists as a photo spot, holds special significance in the energy sector as well. The 3.3 MW-class green hydrogen production facility operated by Jeju Energy Corporation here is the first case in Korea to successfully produce and commercialize green hydrogen.

Hydrogen compressor and storage tank installed at the Jeju Hamdeok Green Hydrogen Charging Station. Here, hydrogen at 200 bar is compressed in two stages to 900 bar and charged into hydrogen vehicles. Photo by Kang Hee-jong

The Haengwon-ri green hydrogen production facility produces hydrogen by electrolyzing water using electricity generated from the nearby Haengwon wind power complex. Since no carbon is emitted during this process, it is called 'green hydrogen.' Hydrogen produced by reforming natural gas emits carbon during production, requiring separate carbon capture processes.

The water electrolysis facilities producing hydrogen were installed by domestic companies: Hydrogen Energen (two 1MW alkaline-type units), Korea Gas Corporation (one 1MW polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) unit), and Doosan Enerbility (one 0.3MW PEM unit). This facility can produce up to 1.2 tons of hydrogen per day.

Korea Gas Corporation received PEM-type water electrolysis equipment from SK Plug Hyverse, a joint venture between SK E&S and the US company Plug Power. The PEM equipment was imported from Plug Power in the US. Doosan Enerbility’s PEM equipment was jointly developed with domestic companies Elchemtech and Sunbo.

Jeju Hamdeok Green Hydrogen Charging Station Director Hyun Jeongheon is explaining the process of refueling hydrogen into a hydrogen bus. Photo by Kang Heejong

On that day, the Doosan PEM equipment and Hydrogen Energen’s alkaline equipment, which were not in operation, were inspected. Kang Byung-chan, head of the Clean Hydrogen Operations Department at Jeju Energy Corporation, explained, "PEM systems are more efficient and compact compared to alkaline systems but are more expensive and have relatively shorter lifespans. Alkaline systems have simpler structures and higher technological maturity, so each has its pros and cons."

In the overall hydrogen ecosystem, Korea is ahead in hydrogen utilization fields such as hydrogen fuel cells but is lagging in hydrogen production. The Jeju green hydrogen production facility serves as a demonstration site to further advance domestic water electrolysis technology through actual operational experience.

Notably, this facility is significant as the first case in Korea to produce green hydrogen and successfully commercialize it. On October 23 last year, Jeju operated the first hydrogen bus running on green hydrogen produced here. Although green hydrogen was previously produced at the Halla Sangmyeong wind complex in Jeju, it was not commercialized.

The 3.3MW-class green hydrogen production facility located in Haengwon-ri, Gujwa-eup, Jeju. Photo by Kang Hee-jong

The green hydrogen produced in Haengwon is compressed to 200 bar (1 bar = 100,000 pascals) and transported by tube trailer to the Hamdeok green hydrogen refueling station, about a 20-minute drive away. The Hamdeok station began operation last October alongside the commercial operation of hydrogen buses. Initially, residents strongly opposed the establishment of the hydrogen station in Hamdeok, but understanding of hydrogen was improved through explanatory meetings.

Ko Yoon-sung, director of Future Growth at Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, said, "Considering bus routes and floating population, the first green hydrogen refueling station was built in Hamdeok. At the first residents’ briefing, many opposed it, saying, 'Why bring a bomb to our village?' but now they are rather thankful." The green hydrogen refueling station has led to village area improvements and better transportation, resulting in secondary effects such as increased tourist inflow.

The green hydrogen transported by tube trailer from Haengwon is recompressed to 900 bar at Hamdeok and then refueled into vehicles such as hydrogen buses. Refueling takes about 30 minutes per hydrogen bus and about 5 minutes for Nexo passenger cars.

Green hydrogen produced at the green hydrogen production facility in Haengwon-ri, Gujwa-eup, Jeju is compressed and stored in tube trailers. Photo by Kang Hee-jong

The space where hydrogen tanks and compressors are installed is equipped with triple and quadruple safety devices. Hyun Jeong-heon, manager of the Hamdeok refueling station, explained, "Gas detectors, hydrogen flame detectors, and ultrasonic detectors are installed on the ceiling to immediately detect leaks. If temperature rises or abnormal pressure is detected, the automatic control system can shut down all equipment."

Jeju Province announced in May a plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035, 15 years ahead of the national goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. Green hydrogen, along with renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, is expected to play an important role in Jeju’s carbon neutrality.

Jeju plans to produce 60,000 tons of green hydrogen annually by 2035, most of which will be used for power generation. Currently, Jungbu Power and Nambu Power operate LNG power plants in Jeju, which are planned to be converted first to hydrogen co-firing (mixed combustion) and eventually to full hydrogen combustion.

The Hyundai hydrogen garbage truck using the arm-roll method, which Jeju will introduce this year, is displayed at the Jeju Convention Center, where the '2024 Green Hydrogen Global Forum' is being held. Photo by Kang Hee-jong

Regarding hydrogen buses, five are currently operating in Jeju, with plans to add 20 more within the year. Jeju will also introduce its first hydrogen-powered refuse collection vehicle using the Amroll system this year. Hydrogen refueling infrastructure will be expanded as well. Jeju plans to build three additional hydrogen refueling stations in Aewol, Hallim, and Hwabuk-dong in collaboration with private sectors such as HighsOne and Cheonma consortium. Hyundai Motor Company will also operate a mobile refueling station in Dodu-dong.

The mobile hydrogen refueling station planned to be introduced in Jeju Island is displayed at the Jeju Convention Center, where the '2024 Green Hydrogen Global Forum' is being held. Photo by Kang Hee-jong

The remaining challenge is securing economic feasibility. Currently, the green hydrogen refueling station is operated free of charge as it is in the demonstration phase. Director Ko Yoon-sung said, "By September, we plan to analyze the costs involved in green hydrogen production and announce pricing policies. Initially, government incentives will likely be necessary, but as utilization rates increase, hydrogen prices are expected to decrease." Currently, hydrogen refueling prices inland range from 8,800 to 10,500 KRW per kilogram.