Learning from the world’s best hydrogen city

Uruguay officials visit Ulsan on March 14

Experienced and learned about the superiority of Ulsan’s hydrogen infrastructure

Requested support from Ulsan for development of Uruguay’s hydrogen industry

The Ulsan Metropolitan Government announced that a delegation from Uruguay, comprising of seven officials, visited Ulsan on Mar. 14 to study in person and learn about the operation status and crucial infrastructure of H2appy Ulsan.

This visit was a part of the training course from “Promotion of Research and Development Innovation for Uruguay’s Green Hydrogen Industry Growth,” the Knowledge Sharing Program (KSP) of the Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements (KRIHS).

In particular, the delegation devised the trip to witness the excellence of the “world’s best hydrogen city” with their own eyes and learn from their experience to contribute to development of their country’s hydrogen industry.

The delegation’s morning schedule included visiting Approtium Ulsan Factory 2, Korea’s largest business dedicated to hydrogen supply, and a demo ride on the hydroelectric tram, the world’s first to run with eco-friendly energy.

In the afternoon, the group was scheduled to look around the integrated safety operation and management center, which controls Ulsan’s hydrogen-based infrastructure, the hydrogen foothold (hub) in Taehwagang Station, Yuldong Thermal Power Plant, and Hyundai Motors’ Factory 5, the production base of NEXO, Hyundai’s hydroelectric automobile.

Uruguay is one of the world’s leading countries in converting to renewable energy, supplying 98% of its power production with renewable sources (as of 2019). The country is striving to grow its hydrogen industry by establishing the “Green Hydrogen Roadmap” in 2022 to export hydrogen to other nations utilizing its rich renewable energy sources.

The delegation stated Uruguay is devoting all national capabilities to economic development, as proven by its dedication to hydrogen, and is desperate for Ulsan’s delivery of experience and know-how to successfully carry out its Green Hydrogen Roadmap.

Ulsan Mayor Kim Doo-gyeom said, “The Ulsan Metropolitan Government has implemented various policies and projects after announcing the ‘2030 World’s Best Hydrogen City’ vision in 2019.” He went on to say, “It brings us immense encouragement to have the delegation from the world’s top renewable energy country visit Ulsan to learn from us,” adding, “We will enhance international exchange and cooperation to go beyond Korea’s best hydrogen industry powerhouse to transform our city into the world’s first go-to site for the hydrogen industry.”

Meanwhile, the city has been implementing the hydrogen trial-city creation project after winning the project contest hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in 2019. The city has completed the 10 km-long hydrogen pipe connection construction, which starts at Yeocheon ogeori, passes Taehwagang Station, and ends at Hyundai Motors (hydrogen charging station for hydrogen vehicle release) with plans to supply hydrogen through the pipe.