Nel, the global leader in hydrogen technology, has tied up with the world’s engineering and construction company, Samsung C&T Corporation, to aid in celebrating the bringing together of both entities for the country’s first nuclear hydrogen program. This acidic nuclear-hydrogen program to the tune of € 5 million will be comprised of 10MW of alkaline electrolyser systems and commence a new dawn for the nuclear energy source to electrify what one often dubs as “pink hydrogen”.
Nel’s advanced electrolysers: Hub of pink hydrogen
The experimental project is a great step forward in hydrogen technology, integrating the most innovative electrolyser systems of Nel and nuclear energy infrastructure in Korea. The demo facility is set to transform any excess energy from nuclear power plants into hydrogen, thereby enhancing energy efficiency and moving the nation toward a low-carbon economy.
This advanced alkaline electrolyser technology is the key for Nel. Water is split into hydrogen and oxygen through an electrochemical process driven by electric power. The electrolysers are known for be reliability, scalability and cost-effective, making them the prime choice for such large-scale applications.
These electrolyser units produced at Nel’s Herøya facility in Norway would harness energy otherwise wasted during off-peak hours at nuclear plants and convert that into a storable and modular form of clean energy. Byung Soo Lee, Head of Energy Solution Business Unit at Samsung C&T, put a rhetorical statement “There is no doubt about Nel being the best partner in this historic venture, as this is the first hydrogen production project in Korea using nuclear energy”.
PEM electrolyzers: Compact renewable energy solutions
Nel achieved a new partnership with Samsung C&T, another significant aspect of the organization for 2024. Earlier in 2023, a new PEM electrolyser manufacturing facility was built in Wallingford, Connecticut, by Nel to strengthen its footprint in the United States hydrogen market.
Unlike alkaline electrolysers, PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) electrolysers are small and flexible with mixed renewable resources such as wind and solar, which is an excellent indication of Nel’s diversified approach to hydrogen production technologies. In addition, Nel received a grant of ,135 million from the EU Innovation Fund to accelerate industrialization of its next generation pressurized alkaline electrolyser technology.
This breakthrough innovation will tremendously facilitate improved energy efficiency, reduced production costs, along with elevated scalability. All these advancements will bring Nel to within reach of the top players that will offer solutions for the world’s energy big problems (just like this one invented by this country) through new-age hydrogen solutions.
Hydrogen generations: Nel and the global model of Samsung
The collaborative effort of Nel and Samsung is not only limited to technological accomplishments; it also provides a global example of hydrogen usage as a clean energy carrier. The project transforms surplus nuclear power into hydrogen and addresses energy inefficiencies and the stability of the grid as a two-in-one solution. It states clearly the role of hydrogen in making energy systems airtight so that it can be considered as a store rather than a waste of surplus energy. Such measures have vast implications.
The countries with an already-built nuclear power infrastructure can copy the model to cut down on fossil fuel dependency and decarbonize energy-depleting industries like manufacturing and long-haul transport. The project in South Korea has yet to hit the commercial phase, but it sets the stage for scaling. It makes hydrogen a fundamental building block for sustainable energy schemes worldwide.
The partnership between Nel and Samsung C&T turns the nuclear surplus into valuable hydrogen, thus demonstrating the potential of hydrogen and setting an example for sustainable energy systems (just like this one which was invented in Japan). The company is innovating in the field of hydrogen and opening the doors for the technology to be able to address global energy challenges.
