Hyundai E&C Targets Large-Scale Green Hydrogen Market with 100MW Water Electrolysis Technology

Hyundai Engineering & Construction (Hyundai E&C) is partnering with key industry players to develop large-scale water electrolysis technology capable of producing green hydrogen on a massive scale. The company announced plans on September 18 to head a government-supported research initiative to create design technology for plants with a capacity of over 100MW.

Water electrolysis uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, and when powered by renewable sources, it can generate green hydrogen with minimal carbon emissions. As demand for large-scale hydrogen production grows, the industry is shifting towards integrated plant design and optimization to handle fluctuations in renewable energy supply.

The consortium includes Hyundai Motor, Hanwha, and Korea Midland Power, and will focus on developing a comprehensive design package covering core processes, system engineering, and plant operation. Hyundai E&C will lead the effort, responsible for creating the engineering package and conducting economic feasibility assessments. The project aims to incorporate artificial intelligence and dynamic simulation models to help electrolysis plants adapt to variations in renewable energy output, improving operational stability and productivity.

Hyundai E&C has already gained experience in the hydrogen sector through projects like a hydrogen production base in Buan and a 5MW PEM water electrolysis system in Jeju. This new endeavor will extend their expertise to 100MW-plus facilities, creating a competitive edge in future domestic and international green hydrogen projects.

The research project is being conducted through Hyundai E&C's HMG Construction Technology Research Center, which focuses on energy infrastructure, including hydrogen, SMRs, SAF, offshore wind, and biogas. By expanding beyond construction into energy infrastructure, Hyundai E&C aims to strengthen its position in the growing green hydrogen market.