Hyundai Motor Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to initiate the start of clean hydrogen production using biogas.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Hyundai Engineering Construction (Hyundai E&C), Kia Corporation, and the Sudokwon Landfill Site Management Corporation (SL Corp).
Under the agreement, Hyundai aims to produce 216kg of green hydrogen per day through biogas produced by the SL Corp – a food waste treatment process – over the next two years.
Hyundai expects the hydrogen produced will be enough to charge more than 34 units of its NEXO, fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV).
The agreement will also see Hyundai and Kia establish an integrated system for the catalytic reaction process, with Hyundai E&C developing gas selection separation technology in the hydrogen production process, while SL Corp will study biogas pre-treatment technology and provide research sites and facilities.
Head of Materials Research and Engineering Centre at Hyundai Motor and Kia, Seung Hyun Hong, said, “Through this agreement, we intend to conduct in-depth research and demonstrate resource-circulating energy technologies to achieve carbon neutrality.
“We are committed to leading the industry as a global carbon neutrality leader by developing high value-added technologies, such as e-fuel and renewable plastic interior materials production, in the future.”
The production of high purity hydrogen is possible via refinement and reforming processes and the fermentation of food wasteproduces biogas, primarily methane.
Hyundai Motor Group has plans to promote green hydrogen production capabilities whilst also researching renewable synthetic fuel (e-fuel) production technologies. The group is also aiming to apply recycled synthetic fuels that can be obtained additionally in the hydrogen production process to existing internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
In order to reach its carbon neutrality goal, Hyundai plans to develop a technology capable of synthesising clean hydrogen and carbon monoxide, to then generate renewable plastic material.
A recent McKinsey survey found that green hydrogen and biogas were cited as the most popular choices to replace gas, named by 60% if respondents, driven largely by the light and heavy industry buyers.