In the ninth episode of “SK Innovation’s endeavor to achieve Decarbonization by taking Green Transformation” series, we have met Chang Ho-joon, Head of SK Energy’s Solution & Platform Business Division. Through the interview with him, we were able to learn more about how SK Energy actively developing technologies to utilize hydrogen-rechargeable fuel cells for the development of the hydrogen industry and conversion to eco-friendly energy.

▲ Chang Ho-joon, Head of Solution & Platform Business Division, SK Energy

| What is the background of the hydrogen-rechargeable fuel cell project?

So far, SK Energy has expanded customer touchpoints through our gas stations, LPG refilling stations, and NeTruck House service. Based on these, we are planning to build “eco-friendly complex energy stations” to actively respond to the future energy transition.

As the first step, we have signed a business agreement with Doosan Fuel Cell to start a joint technology development and commercialization project to build a distributed power source and hydrogen charging station using hydrogen-rechargeable fuel cells.

▲ SK Energy sd a business agreement with Doosan Fuel Cell regarding “joint development and industrialization of technologies to utilize rechargeable hydrogen fuel cells” at SK Building in Jongno, Seoul, Korea on August 27th. First from left: Chang Ho-joon, Head of Solution & Platform Business Division, SK Energy.

| Could you elaborate on the project?

Doosan Fuel Cell has Tri-gen cells, which are capable of generating electricity, heat, and hydrogen simultaneously. These cells can generate electricity that can be supplied by connecting to existing power grids, and be used to recharge electric vehicles (EV). They also generate heat that can be used as a heat source inside the eco-friendly complex energy station. Moreover, the hydrogen produced can be used to charge fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV). So, the project is for our two companies to jointly develop and commercialize these technologies.

| What is the role of SK Energy in this project?

The hydrogen generated from Doosan Fuel Cell’s Tri-gen has low purity, so it is difficult to directly inject it into a vehicle. But SK Energy a lot of experiences and operational know-hows in producing high-purity hydrogen using Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) facilities, so we can design and develop a system that can make the 50 to 60% low-purity hydrogen from Doosan Pure Cell’s Tri-gen products to become over 99.97% high-purity hydrogen.

SK Energy’s “high-purity hydrogen production system” developed in this way will be linked to Doosan Fuel Cell’s Tri-gen to create a “full package of hydrogen-rechargeable fuel cell”. We can build and operate an eco-friendly complex energy station that enables distributed power generation and hydrogen/electric charging of fuel cells in the same place.

| What are the next plans of this project?

We plan to start construction of the first “eco-friendly complex energy station” using our own technology as early as next year. It is expected to play a major role in enhancing the economic feasibility of the current hydrogen refueling stations with low operating profits and expanding the deployment of eco-friendly infrastructure.

In the future, SK Energy will accelerate the eco-friendly energy business, leading the hydrogen industry with unlimited potential, and strive to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions before 2050.

Click the video below to see the full interview: