South Korea tests hydrogen as domestic fuel for heating and cooking

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) released plans to test blending hydrogen into the gas supply for residential buildings. This step comes as part of the plan to become a hydrogen economy and save carbon dioxide. Blending 20 per cent hydrogen into the existing gas supply could save CO₂ emissions of 3.5 million tonnes per year. To ensure the safety of the gas pipelines, the ministry will begin test runs this year and check the usability of existing pipelines and valves. By 2026, legal standards for gas companies to blend hydrogen could then come into effect. Products covered by gas safety regulations in Korea often require KGS approval to be approved for sale and operation in Korea.

In total, the gas mixture would flow through 50,000 kilometres of pipelines within South Korean cities. A first trial will take place in the second quarter of 2023 at Korea Gas Corp’s LNG plant in Pyeongtaek-si. The government plans to allocate US$23.4 million in funding for the project’s development and testing by 2025. South Korea consumes about 40 million tonnes of natural gas per year. According to government estimates, blending ten per cent hydrogen could save 1.29 million tonnes of natural gas and 3.55 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. Other countries such as the USA, Great Britain and Germany are conducting similar trials. Already since the end of 2020, the US Energy Department has launched the “HyBlend” research initiative, where the hydrogen-natural gas mix is being studied in more detail.

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Julian Busch

About the author: Julian Busch is the founder and managing director of MPR International GmbH

Publisher: MPR International GmbH

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