‘Hydrogen Fuel Cells, Transition to a Leading Hydrogen Economy Nation’ International Forum
Experts in Hydrogen Fuel Cell Field Gather... Exploring Future Industry Development Strategies
Pohang City, designated as the first hydrogen-specialized complex in Korea, held the ‘2024 Pohang International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Forum’ on the 12th at the POSCO International Hall, presenting a vision for its leap as the center of the K-hydrogen economy.
The forum, themed ‘Hydrogen Fuel Cells, Transition to a Leading Future Hydrogen Economy Nation,’ was hosted and organized by Pohang City and Pohang Technopark, with support from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and Gyeongbuk Province.
The event was attended by over 200 participants, including Jang Sang-gil, Vice Mayor of Pohang City, Kim Il-man, Chairman of the Pohang City Council, representatives of hydrogen companies, and officials from universities and R&D institutions, discussing ways to advance the hydrogen fuel cell industry.
The forum’s opening keynote speech was delivered by Anthony Leo, former Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of FuelCell Energy, under the theme ‘Experience and Know-how in the Hydrogen Energy Industry and the Path Forward.’
Having dedicated 46 years to the development and commercialization of fuel cells, Anthony Leo gave a highly regarded in-depth lecture on the future development direction of the hydrogen fuel cell industry based on his experience.
Following this, a special lecture was presented by Ahn Jong-deuk, Director of the Hydrogen Energy Division at the Korea Energy Technology Evaluation Institute, on ‘Designation of Hydrogen Specialized Complexes and Support Measures,’ which attracted significant interest from attending hydrogen-related companies.
Additionally, Professor Kang Sang-gyu of Seoul National University’s Department of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering chaired a panel discussion with experts including Park Chan-gyu, Director of the Future Environment and Energy Center at the Korea Testing Laboratory; Lee Dong-hwal, CEO of HAPS; Moon Sang-jin, Executive Director of R&D New Business at Doosan Fuel Cell; and Professor Eom Seok-gi of Hanyang University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. They discussed hydrogen certification systems, next year’s bidding market outlook, fuel cell market activation and technology development directions, and ways to invigorate industry-academia-research networks.
In the latter part of the forum, a Q&A session with the audience was held to gather diverse opinions on the development plans for Pohang’s hydrogen fuel cell industry, creating a communication platform to share new ideas and visions across the industry.
Moreover, on the first floor lobby of the POSCO International Hall, the Pohang Hydrogen Fuel Cell Promotion Center was operated, providing information on resident companies within the hydrogen-specialized complex and conducting investment consultations.
Through investment consultations, related companies obtained detailed information on residency opportunities and support benefits within the specialized complex, exploring possibilities for attracting investment and expanding partnerships.
Vice Mayor Jang Sang-gil stated, “Pohang City has achieved development in the hydrogen fuel cell industry through continuous innovation and industry-academia-research cooperation,” adding, “We will continue to provide various supports, including expanding future forums and establishing investment consultation channels for company promotion, to ensure sustainable development of the related industry.”
Designated as a hydrogen-specialized complex on the 1st of this month, Pohang City plans to focus on supporting companies and building infrastructure to enable Pohang to grow as a global leading city through the export industrialization of hydrogen fuel cells.
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