Hyundai Motor Group Launches Full-Scale Hydrogen Ecosystem in Cheongju with 'HTWO ENERGY Cheongju' Operation

Producing Hydrogen from Waste Sewage Sludge
Supplying 500 kg of Hydrogen Daily to the Region

Hyundai Motor Group has established a resource-circulating clean hydrogen production facility in Cheongju, Chungbuk Province, and is taking full-scale steps to build an eco-friendly hydrogen ecosystem in South Korea.

HTWO ENERGY Cheongju Hydrogen Refueling Station. Hyundai Motor Company

The completion ceremony for "HTWO ENERGY Cheongju," held on July 9, was attended by Seo Kang-hyun, President of Planning and Coordination at Hyundai Motor Group; Lee Ho-hyun, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment; Shin Yong-han, Governor of Chungcheongbuk-do; as well as other major officials and stakeholders.

Seo stated, "This is a case where local waste resources are converted into hydrogen, a clean energy source, and then consumed again within the region, establishing a circular economy model based on 'local production for local consumption.' We will actively contribute to making Cheongju a leading inland city for hydrogen projects in Korea, and use this opportunity to expand the regionally self-sufficient hydrogen production model to the global market."

HTWO ENERGY Cheongju Hydrogen Charging Station. Hyundai Motor Company

"HTWO ENERGY Cheongju" is the first resource-circulating hydrogen production and refueling complex directly operated by Hyundai Motor Group. It produces and supplies clean hydrogen by utilizing biogas extracted from sewage sludge waste generated in the Cheongju area.

On a site of approximately 7,500 square meters at a public sewage treatment plant, facilities have been built to remove hydrogen sulfide and moisture from biogas and refine it into high-quality biomethane, as well as hydrogen extraction facilities that produce hydrogen by reacting steam with biomethane. In addition, there is a liquefied carbon dioxide production facility that captures and purifies carbon dioxide generated during the hydrogen production process. The site is also equipped with high-pressure and low-pressure compressors that compress the produced hydrogen to the required pressure, high-pressure and low-pressure storage tanks for stable hydrogen storage, and a hydrogen refueling station for vehicle charging.

The site also features the Hydrogen Academy, which introduces Hyundai Motor Group's hydrogen business brand "HTWO" and the resource-circulating hydrogen ecosystem.

Hyundai Motor Group held the completion ceremony for "HTWO ENERGY Cheongju" on the 9th in Cheongju, Chungbuk. (From left) Hwang Gye-young, Chairman of the Korea Automobile Environment Association; Kim Jin-gyun, Director of the Institute of Advanced Technology; Im Eun-sung, Chairman of the Cheongju City Council; Shin Yong-han, Governor of Chungcheongbuk-do; Seo Kang-hyun, President of Planning and Coordination at Hyundai Motor Group; Lee Ho-hyun, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment; Lee Jang-seop, Mayor of Cheongju; Lee Kwang-hee, Member of the National Assembly; Im Dong-hyun, Chair of the Science and Economy Committee of the Chungcheongbuk-do Council; and Lee Jae-sook, Chair of the Health and Environment Committee of the Cheongju City Council, are posing for a commemorative photo. Hyundai Motor Group

The facility produces about 500 kilograms of hydrogen per day, which is enough to refuel approximately 100 NEXO hydrogen fuel cell passenger vehicles or about 30 hydrogen-powered buses per day. Hyundai Motor Group plans to increase the daily average hydrogen production to 2 tons by 2030. The company aims to supply all hydrogen produced here to the Chungcheongbuk-do and Cheongju regions, contributing to the transition to an eco-friendly energy system and the achievement of carbon neutrality in the area.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.