Fuel cell for power generation, which can even serve as emergency power generation in case of power outages in buildings or facilities
Distributed energy solution capable of supplying power 24 hours a day ··· Possible to replace emergency generators that use fossil fuels
SK Eco Plant, spurring technology development and localization research ··· Leading fuel cell-linked technology innovation initiative

SK Ecoplant, which has completed its transformation into a renewable energy and environmental company, has succeeded in developing a new fuel cell-linked uninterruptible power supply technology that supplies stable power in emergencies such as power outages. SKEco Plant announced on the 27th that it acquired a patent for a 'fuel cell-linked uninterruptible power supply (UPS)' with Ewha Electric Industry and started applying it to related projects. Established in 1956, Ewha Electric Co., Ltd., which developed the patented technology together, is a company specializing in power equipment. It is also well known for commercializing the uninterruptible power supply connected to the energy storage system (ESS). An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is a device that receives electricity from KEPCO and supplies electricity on behalf of a building or facility that uses electricity in the event of an abnormal situation such as a power outage. Recently, as a temporary power outage is expected to cause great socio-economic damage, an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is also becoming an essential equipment. However, it can become a problem if the power outage continues until all the electricity stored in the UPS is used up or if the emergency generator does not work properly. In fact, during the domestic power outage that occurred on September 15, 2011, it was found that more than 60% of emergency generators were not working properly. To overcome these problems, SK Eco Plant and Ewha Electric Industry developed a DC converter that directly connects the electricity produced by the fuel cell to the existing electricity supply system and uninterruptible power supply in the building. The DC converter plays the role of directly connecting the fuel cell and the building electricity supply system without going through the power grid . Normally, the electricity generated by the fuel cell is supplied to the power grid through an inverter. However, in the event of a power outage, the inverter also stops operating and the power supply is cut off. Using the DC converter developed this time, the electricity produced by the fuel cell can be directly and continuously supplied to essential facilities even in the event of a power outage. In other words, it functions as an emergency generator that supplies electricity to the power grid in normal times and helps to operate essential facilities for security-related building maintenance, such as firefighting equipment or monitoring and control, in case of emergency. If this technology is used, equipment that had to be equipped separately, such as an uninterruptible power supply, can be integrated into one. It is possible to reduce the area required for the electric room while reducing the cost of equipment compared to existing facilities. It depends on the size of the project, but so far SK Ecoplant has saved a total of 840 million won in 10 power generation projects to which the solution has been applied. In the mid- to long-term, it is also possible to replace emergency generators, which produce electricity mostly through diesel, with fuel cells. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, about 6.4GW of diesel generators for emergency generators are supplied in Seoul alone. It is equivalent to about 6 nuclear power plants. If fuel cells replace this, the air pollution improvement effect is also expected. According to the 'Fuel Cell Emergency Power Application Plan' research service conducted last year by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, fuel cells emit only about 1% of nitrogen oxide and about 5.8% of carbon monoxide compared to fossil fuel grids. It does not emit sulfur oxides at all. SK Ecoplant plans to lead initiatives for patents and fuel cell-linked technology innovation. In fact, SK Ecoplant has developed its own module system that recovers wasted heat after power generation and uses it for heating and hot water supply through cooperation with Bloom Energy and small but strong domestic companies. Recently, it established a joint R&D center, Hydrogen Innovation Center (HIC) with Bloom Energy, and is carrying out water electrolysis BOP (Balance of Plant) technology, green hydrogen package development, and global water electrolysis project business development. “This patent proves that fuel cells can not only produce electricity as a distributed power source, but also contribute to our lives for various purposes,” said Park Kyung-il, CEO of SK Eco Plant. We will strive to contribute to achieving the goal of accumulative fuel cell exports of US$3 billion by 2030.”

SK Eco Plant and Ewha Electric Create Fuel Cell Tech for Power Outage Resilience