H2 MEET(Mobility Energy Environment Technology) 2024 is Korea’s largest specialized hydrogen business exhibition and conference and is one of the most influential hydrogen events in the world.
H2 MEET 2024, Growth of the Hydrogen Industry Platform
Increase in Consultations to Find Optimal Overseas Partners
Over 30 Foreign Company Buyers Visit Korea
Consultations with Over 50 Domestic Hydrogen Companies
Innovative Domestic Technologies and Markets Pioneering
H2 MEET(Mobility Energy Environment Technology) 2024 is Korea’s largest specialized hydrogen business exhibition and conference and is one of the most influential hydrogen events in the world.
The biggest event in the hydrogen industry is the showdown of future technologies between liquid hydrogen and high-pressure gaseous hydrogen.
The argument that liquid hydrogen is effectively winning the contest is gaining traction. It has been widely acknowledged that due to hydrogen’s characteristics, high-pressure gaseous hydrogen cannot outperform liquid hydrogen because of its drawbacks, namely the need for significant energy input and enhanced safety measures.
At H2 MEET 2024, the CEO of a company producing hydrogen storage container components stated, “To achieve carbon neutrality goals, we must consider cost-effectiveness. When we factor in the explosive nature of hydrogen energy sources and the additional energy consumption required for compression, it’s clear that liquid hydrogen will soon dominate the global hydrogen industry.
In this way, the H2 MEET organizing committee concluded the World Hydrogen Expo and H2 MEET 2024 by providing a one-stop experience for hydrogen industry companies. This event allowed participants to directly explore future directions, encounter high-level foreign technologies, and engage in export consultations.
For domestic startups, this event provided an opportunity to gauge the threshold of the global market for hydrogen energy sources and expand niche networking. Notably, H2 MEET achieved its goal of elevating its position as a key platform for hydrogen-related charging, components, and systems.
H2 MEET achieved successful outcomes through the effective collaboration of the Korea Automobile & Mobility Association, Korea H2 Business Summit, Hydrogen Energy Network, Korea Energy Agency, and Korea Industrial Alliance Forum.
A representative from the organizing committee stated, ‘This exhibition provided diversity, offering insights into crucial applications for revitalizing the hydrogen industry among participating companies, related universities, public institutions, and regions like Gyeongnam.’ They added, ‘For domestic hydrogen companies seeking export consultations with foreign buyers, we ensured this was an excellent opportunity to facilitate close business dealings with potential buyers
The argument that liquid hydrogen is effectively winning the contest is gaining traction. It has been widely acknowledged that due to hydrogen’s characteristics, high-pressure gaseous hydrogen cannot outperform liquid hydrogen because of its drawbacks, namely the need for significant energy input and enhanced safety measures.
Indeed, the consultation area was bustling with a series of one-on-one matching sessions. Domestic companies possessing innovative technologies across all areas of hydrogen production, transportation, and utilization attracted significant interest from ASEAN countries, the Middle East, and Europe.
This consultation event, the ‘Global Partnership for Hydrogen Industry Conference’ co-organized with KOTRA, attracted buyers from over 30 companies across China, Europe, the Middle East, and other regions.
These buyers held consultations with around 50 hydrogen-related Korean companies, including Hyundai Motor, Korea Zinc, Kolon, Hyundai Rotem, Hyundai Engineering & Construction, Hyundai Steel, Hyundai Engineering, Hylium Industries, NK Tech, Iljin Hysolus, LIBECO E&C, Samjung ENC, Cryos, DL, Techcross, Emerson Korea, Hyundai Infracore, Korea Automotive Technology Institute, and Bumhan Fuel Cell. This provided opportunities for pioneering global business channels.
Startups with strong technological capabilities also captured attention.
This consultation event, the ‘Global Partnership for Hydrogen Industry Conference’ co-organized with KOTRA, attracted buyers from over 30 companies across China, Europe, the Middle East, and other regions.
These buyers held consultations with around 50 hydrogen-related Korean companies, including Hyundai Motor, Korea Zinc, Kolon, Hyundai Rotem, Hyundai Engineering & Construction, Hyundai Steel, Hyundai Engineering, Hylium Industries, NK Tech, Iljin Hysolus, LIBECO E&C, Samjung ENC, Cryos, DL, Techcross, Emerson Korea, Hyundai Infracore, Korea Automotive Technology Institute, and Bumhan Fuel Cell. This provided opportunities for pioneering global business channels.
CEO Yong Seog Kim of LIBECO E&C Co., Ltd. stated that the hydrogen industry, as an infinite energy source, can benefit humanity by not only establishing an eco-friendly solution to global energy issues if well-managed, but also advancing sectors such as aviation and port operations.
Hydrogen specialist company LIBECO E&C Co., Ltd., led by CEO Yong Seog Kim, unveiled a liquid hydrogen storage and supply system for commercial vehicles (heavy-duty vehicles) that outperforms similar systems developed by companies such as Europe’s Daimler and America’s Chart.
LIBECO E&C has become the first in Korea to develop and apply an automatic valve for commercial vehicles, a technology currently under development in Europe. The company announced that it will begin demonstrating its liquid hydrogen storage system in the United States no later than January of next year.
But that’s not all. The company plans to improve energy efficiency and reduce production costs for the liquid hydrogen fuel supply system. Simultaneously, they will pursue the development of optimization techniques to maximize energy efficiency and automated processes to further reduce manufacturing costs
BOG (Boil-Off Gas) refers to the evaporated gas that occurs when cryogenic liquid hydrogen stored in a container vaporizes due to external heat ingress. This phenomenon causes increased pressure inside the storage container and results in the loss of liquid hydrogen. Proper control and management of BOG is a crucial technical challenge in liquid hydrogen storage and supply systems.
Subcooled liquid hydrogen (sLH2) is a method where liquid hydrogen at 26K is pressurized to about 16 bar for fueling. This allows for higher density (greater quantity) fueling compared to regular liquid hydrogen and can suppress BOG release for extended periods.
This system is designed with a zero-loss hydrogen energy system that doesn’t release BOG externally and incorporates a thermal management system utilizing the cold energy of liquid hydrogen. Compared to competitors, it secures improved energy efficiency and driving range. The system is also engineered for easy hydrogen leak detection and maintenance, enhancing the operational safety and durability of liquid hydrogen use.
LIBECO E&C Co., Ltd. plans to enter the U.S. market, which has a transportation sector about 25 times larger than Korea’s, by demonstrating their liquid hydrogen technology for commercial vehicles.
CEO Yong Seog Kim stated, ‘With our innovative technology, we will lead the advancement of the eco-friendly commercial vehicle industry and secure long-term growth momentum by gaining a first-mover advantage in the global market.
At this exhibition, another highlight was the participation of numerous companies from countries such as Spain’s Acciona Nordex Green Hydrogen, Greece’s CluBE, Serbia’s NIS, and the Czech Republic’s ÚJV Řež. These firms attracted attention as they sought to meet Korean companies for potential collaboration across the entire hydrogen value chain, from production (including electrolysis facilities) to storage, transportation, power generation, and refueling.
The Indian market also presents a blue ocean opportunity. Adani New Industries Limited (ANIL), a leader in the renewable energy industry, sought cooperation for clean energy supply in Korea. Meanwhile, China set up a separate booth where six buyers explored potential suppliers for fuel cells and hydrogen refueling station infrastructure.
Global corporation Kawasaki Heavy Industries explored potential partners for a large-scale project aimed at establishing a liquefied hydrogen supply chain in Japan. A representative from the company stated, ‘We also held a separate briefing session for about 50 Korean companies interested in participating in our project to enter the Indian market.
A representative from Hydrogen Energy Network Co., Ltd. stated, ‘Although companies like Hanwha, SK, and Hyosung did not participate this year unlike last year, H2 MEET 2024 still served perfectly as a platform to assess the current state of the global hydrogen industry, identify technological trends, and create import and export opportunities within Korea’s hydrogen economy ecosystem.
* Original article: https://www.ecoday.kr/article/1065599667971448