Hyundai Motor Group will introduce a clean hydrogen energy circulation model at an Antarctic science station to support sustainable polar research.
On the 18th, Hyundai Motor Group signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) at the Conrad Hotel in Yeouido to build a green hydrogen grid for an Antarctic science station. Attendees included President Sung Kim, head of corporate strategy at Hyundai Motor Group; Minister Hwang Jong-woo of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries; and Korea Polar Research Institute Director Shin Hyeong-cheol.
A green hydrogen grid is a renewable energy–based hydrogen power system. It is an eco-friendly energy circulation framework that uses electricity from renewables such as solar to electrolyze water and separate and store hydrogen, then uses the stored hydrogen in fuel-cell generation to produce electricity again.
The memorandum of understanding was pursued to improve the power system of the King Sejong Station in Antarctica and switch to clean energy in time for the station's 40th anniversary in 2028. Although the Antarctic science stations have solar power facilities, irregular sunlight and the near absence of sun during the winter season (March–October) make solar generation difficult.
As a result, diesel, which is suitable for bulk transport and long-term storage, has mainly been used to produce electricity. At King Sejong Station and Jang Bogo Station, which are operated by the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), diesel generation accounts for about 97%, with most electricity dependent on fossil fuels.
In response, Hyundai Motor Group decided to build an Antarctica-tailored green hydrogen grid that produces and stores hydrogen with surplus solar power during periods of abundant sunlight and then generates electricity with fuel cells when solar generation is limited. The aim is to create a clean energy circulation model of on-site production and on-site consumption (地産地消) in Antarctica.
First, leveraging its hydrogen technology capabilities and know-how, Hyundai Motor Group will install at the Antarctic science station: ▲ a water electrolysis unit that separates hydrogen from water ▲ equipment that compresses and stores hydrogen ▲ a fuel-cell generator that produces electricity from hydrogen. It will also expand solar power facilities to increase the station's solar generation capacity.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) will cooperate on building and operating related facilities on site and will introduce a hybrid power operation system encompassing hydrogen, solar, and diesel generation to gradually increase the share of clean energy.
Hyundai Motor Group, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) expect that adopting hydrogen solutions suited to Antarctic conditions will not only raise the utilization of renewable energy but also contribute to stable power operations at the Antarctic science stations and to creating a sustainable polar research environment.
Hyundai Motor Group President Sung Kim said, "The Antarctic green hydrogen grid project is a key starting point for the science stations' transition to clean energy," adding, "Hyundai Motor Group will continue to create sustainable hydrogen solutions that can scale to various regions by implementing energy models applicable even in extreme environments, based on end-to-end hydrogen technologies."