Friday Fallback story that may have been missed but we want to post it earlier than our Thursday Throwback story for next week. The story is important as it highlights Air Liquide’s high capacity hydrogen stations and Hyundai’s continued efforts to commercialize its hydrogen fuel-powered buses.
On May 11, 2020, Air Liquide Korea, Incheon International Airport Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company and HyNet (Hydrogen Energy Network) signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at accelerating the deployment of hydrogen mobility solutions, including fuel cell buses, hydrogen stations and hydrogen supply at Seoul Incheon International Airport, the gateway to South Korea.
In the framework of the MoU, Air Liquide will provide two high-capacity hydrogen stations, the largest to date in South Korea, using new features introduced for the first time in the country. This will allow for the filling of two buses simultaneously as well as many buses consecutively with limited waiting time for efficient peak time management. Air Liquide will also serve as the hydrogen molecule supplier under a long-term contract.
Incheon International Airport will replace its current shuttle buses linking Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 with hydrogen buses, while Hyundai Motor will provide these new hydrogen buses along with after-sales services.
Finally, HyNet will operate the stations, which will primarily serve hydrogen buses but will be used as well for fuel cell cars in line with the government plan to considerably densify the network of hydrogen stations in the country.
Guillaume Cottet, President of Air Liquide Korea, said: “We are pleased to participate in this project to support the development of the hydrogen economy in South Korea, and to help accelerate Incheon Airport’s efforts to become a low-carbon and eco-friendly airport. In line with its global commitment, Air Liquide continues to develop technical solutions and to invest in the necessary infrastructure alongside its partners. This project is in line with the Group’s climate strategy to contribute to the development of a more sustainable future.”
Air Liquide in Korea
Air Liquide has been present in South Korea since 1996, and employs today more than 400 persons. On top of providing industrial gases and related services to major industries (petrochemical, steel, semiconductors, car manufacturing, etc.), it also has a strong presence in Home Healthcare activities. It is also one of the founders and key contributors to the development of the hydrogen economy in Korea, as shown by its participation in HyNet, a special purpose company created in 2019 to install 100 hydrogen refueling stations by 2022.
Air Liquide’s commitment to hydrogen energy
In the past 50 years, Air Liquide has developed unique expertise enabling it to master the entire hydrogen supply chain, from production and storage to distribution and the development of applications for end users, thus contributing to the widespread useThis project is in line with the Group’s climate strategy, the most ambitious in its sector. of hydrogen as a clean energy source, for mobility in particular. Air Liquide has designed and installed more than 120 stations around the world to date. Hydrogen is an alternative to meet the challenge of clean transportation and thus contributes to the improvement of air quality. Used in a fuel cell, hydrogen combines with oxygen in the air to produce electricity, emitting only water. It does not generate any pollution at the point of use: zero greenhouse gases, zero particles and zero noise. Hydrogen provides a concrete response to the challenges posed by sustainable mobility and local pollution in urban areas.
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