Safety verification will be conducted for three special demonstration projects, including a solid oxide fuel cell composite exhaust system demonstration, based on the regional infrastructure of South Chungcheong Province, one of the three major domestic by-product hydrogen production sites.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (hereinafter referred to as the Ministry of SMEs and Startups) and South Chungcheong Province announced that they began the 'Demonstration of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Power Generation Systems for Homes and Buildings' in the South Chungcheong Hydrogen Energy Conversion Regulatory-Free Special Zone (hereinafter referred to as the South Chungcheong Hydrogen Special Zone) on the 21st.

The Chungnam Hydrogen Special Zone was designated in July 2020 and is currently in operation with the goal of "transitioning to a hydrogen economy society through demonstration and commercialization of power generation, charging, and mobility utilizing hydrogen energy."

The Chungnam Hydrogen Special Zone, which has been granted six demonstration exceptions for a total of three detailed projects, plans to begin demonstrations for each project sequentially in 2022, starting with the "Demonstration of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Power Generation Systems for Homes and Buildings," and to pursue safety verification for regulatory law revision.

The first task is the "Demonstration of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Hybrid Exhaust System." Currently, only low-temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cells are permitted to connect up to six units to a single flue. Through demonstration, we plan to verify the safety of high-efficiency, high-temperature solid oxide fuel cells to enable composite exhaust, including exhaust backflow.

▲ See the first task. Comparison of hydrogen fuel cell power generation exhaust systems (Photo source: Ministry of SMEs and Startups)

The second task is the "Fuel Cell Grid Switching System Demonstration." Current fuel cell systems only allow standalone fuel cells, which can lead to reduced efficiency, such as shutting down during power outages. This demonstration will verify the safety of grid switching to provide emergency power during power outages.

The third task is ‘Demonstration of a direct hydrogen supply fuel cell system.’ Currently, there are no specific regulations on direct hydrogen supply methods, such as legal inspections being conducted only for reformed fuel cells. Therefore, the plan is to secure installation and operation safety through this demonstration.

▲ See the third task: Direct hydrogen supply fuel cell system (Image source: Ministry of SMEs and Startups)

Prior to the demonstration, a safety management committee comprised of experts from industry, academia, and research was formed, and an in-house safety management plan and liability insurance were completed to prepare for human and material safety accidents that may occur during the demonstration.

Additionally, we plan to work with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the regulatory agency, to revise regulatory laws and regulations to ensure that safety is proven through successful demonstrations within 2022 and, based on the results, that the relevant technologies and products can quickly enter the market.

Song In-hye, head of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' Regulatory Free Zone Division, said, "We will actively support demonstration projects to provide a free management environment for hydrogen-related companies by deregulating through various demonstrations in the Chungnam Hydrogen Special Zone and to establish hydrogen energy as a pillar of carbon neutrality."

Meanwhile, the Chungnam Hydrogen Special Zone plans to quickly begin testing hydrogen charging systems and long-distance hydrogen drone flights within the year.