The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM, President Sang-jin Park) invited global hydrogen experts to share insights and forecast the future of hydrogen technology.

On September 8, the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) held the '2021 Global Forum on Mechanical Engineering' online under the theme of 'Hydrogen Machinery Technology, the Foundation for Carbon Neutrality.'

This forum, co-hosted by the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) and members Lee Sang-min and Cho Seung-rae of the Democratic Party of Korea and Kim Young-sik of the People Power Party, with support from the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Council of Science and Technology, is designed to provide a three-dimensional outlook on the future of hydrogen machine technology, which is considered key to achieving carbon neutrality.

The keynote speaker was Detlef Stolton, Director of the Technology and Economic Systems Division at the Jülich Institute in Germany and Professor at Aachen University. Professor Stolton, a world-renowned expert in the hydrogen economy who served as the Chairman of the Fuel Cell Division of the International Energy Agency (IEA), spoke on the topic of “Hydrogen Technology: Transition to a Carbon-Neutral Society” in his keynote speech.

Speakers included Markus Bachmeier, Director of Linde Hydrogen Fuel Technologies GmbH, a global leader in hydrogen technology; Kim Se-hoon, Vice President of Hyundai Motor Company's Fuel Cell Division; and Steiner Madsen, CEO of Topeka GmbH, a subsidiary of the Norwegian Wilhelmsen Shipping Group. Choi Byeong-il, Director of the Plant Convergence Research Laboratory at KIMM, presented on the institute's strategy for building a hydrogen social infrastructure based on liquefied hydrogen.

The panel discussion, the final session of the forum, featured the participation of Hydrogen Convergence Alliance Director Kim Seong-bok, Yonsei University Professor Moon Il, and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Central Research Institute Director Choi Dong-gyu and Director Choi Byeong-il, who added depth to the forum by looking back on the policy preparations for the development of hydrogen machinery technology raised at the forum and the future vision of our technology.

President Park Sang-jin said, “As the world’s attention is focused on solving the era’s challenge of carbon neutrality, our country is receiving attention as a huge test bed for various hydrogen machine technologies.” He added, “Based on the future and in-depth outlook of various next-generation hydrogen technologies discussed at today’s forum, KIMM will strive to lead the development of our hydrogen technology.”