Hyundai Engineering, SK Ecoplant to produce carbon-neutral hydrogen

South Korea's Hyundai Engineering Co. and SK Ecoplant Co. are teaming up with Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC), a US micro modular reactor (MMR) specialist, to establish an MMR-based hydrogen production hub. The goal is to accelerate research and development for carbon-free hydrogen production.

According to the three companies, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed on Thursday at the SK Ecoplant headquarters in downtown Seoul, for the establishment of a "hydrogen micro-hub." This facility will use solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOEC) to produce hydrogen by applying high-temperature electrochemical processes to the electricity and hot steam generated by MMRs.

Under the MOU, the three companies will collaborate on R&D for an MMR-SOEC integrated plant for the next five years. The aim is to demonstrate the feasibility of establishing a hydrogen production system with competitive pricing.

Hyundai Engineering will oversee the overall MMR-related engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) work, while USNC will be responsible for MMR design, manufacturing and supply. SK Ecoplant plans to supply hydrogen production equipment.

"We will produce and supply hydrogen by combining two eco-friendly technologies including MMR and SOEC," said Hong Hyun-sung, CEO of Hyundai Engineering.

Write to Eun-Ji Shim at summit@hankyung.com