Continuing its commitment to advancing a hydrogen economy, carmaker Hyundai Motor Company (KRX: 005380) has forged a recent partnership with a globally acclaimed university. This collaboration aims to elevate research endeavours to develop a carbon-neutral mobility industry.
On Tuesday, Hyundai Motor signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the ‘Cooperation in areas of research and development for hydrogen production, hydrogen fuel cells and electrification technology’ with the University College London.
South Korea and the United Kingdom aim to be carbon neutral by 2050. Main tech players –such as Hyundai– are making continuous strides to develop green technologies.
The carmaker plans to start applying fuel cell tech to its commercial vehicle models by 2028. It is also exploring commercial applications in emergency services, commercial buildings and robotics.
On Thursday, Hyundai also announced that its Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore (HMGICS) has officially opened, functioning as a hub for future mobility production. The center has also entered into several MOUs including one focused on green hydrogen, with PTC Logistics.
One notable collaboration involves a 2019 MOU with the diesel engine manufacturer Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) that aims to develop and commercialize electric and fuel cell powertrains. The focus is on integrating Hyundai’s fuel cell systems with Cummins’ electric powertrain, battery and control technologies for the North American commercial vehicle market.
Another significant partnership is with Hydrospider –through its joint venture Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility– to promote a green hydrogen ecosystem in Switzerland and other European countries.
Yes, we did that! Our Abbotsford team is proud to have installed the roof and the back fenders for the Hyundai hydrogen truck at the HTEC event last week. The first of many to come!#hydrogentrucks #hydrogenpowered #cleantechnology #greenertrucking pic.twitter.com/9mREbC8DT5
— Velocity Truck Centres Canada (@VTC_Canada) November 23, 2023
In 2020, Hyundai teamed up with Shanghai Electric Group´s (SHA: 601727) subsidiary Shanghai Electric Power, and other Shanghai-based energy firms to establish a hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicle ecosystem in the Shanghai and Yangtze River Delta area.
Hyundai also plans to launch two new hydrogen fuel cell powertrains in 2023, targeting mainstream hydrogen use by 2040 and is exploring fuel cell power generators for reliable, low-carbon backup power generation.
The carmaker also signed an agreement with Saudi Arabian partners this year to establish an ecosystem for hydrogen-based mobility in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Read more: Hyundai Motor to drive hydrogen mobility in Saudi Arabia, enters $500M vehicle manufacturing venture
Read more: Hyundai opens Joint Battery Research Center at Seoul National University
The anode (negative electrode) receives the hydrogen and the cathode (positive electrode) collects the oxygen. Photo via Battery University.
Hydrogen fuel cells are devices that generate electrical power by converting the chemical energy stored in hydrogen gas and oxygen into electricity and water. They operate through an electrochemical reaction that takes place in the fuel cell stack.
The main advantage of hydrogen fuel cells is that they produce electricity with zero emissions at the point of use, as the only byproducts are water vapour and heat. This makes them a clean and efficient technology for powering various applications, including vehicles, stationary power systems and portable devices.
“New technologies, such as hydrogen generation, electric vehicles and fuel cells, are a fundamental part of international efforts to keep the global temperature rise within the goals set out in the Paris Agreement,” UCL president Michael Spence said.
However, challenges hinder the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cell technology.
Hydrogen production often relies on methods with associated carbon emissions, and building a supportive infrastructure, including storage and distribution networks, is a significant challenge.
The low energy density of hydrogen complicates storage and transportation, and the technology’s current cost is a barrier to broader use. Energy losses also occur at each stage of the hydrogen fuel cell process, reducing overall efficiency.
Natalia@mugglehead.com
