Subscribe
E-Paper
 |
| From left, New Zealand Hydrogen Association CEO Linda Wright, SEA LH2 Consortium head and Korea Institute of Science and Technology professor Chang Dae-jun and New Zealand Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker after the signing of the Letter of Intent in Seoul last month. / Embassy of New Zealand |
By Yi Whan-woo
New Zealand and Australia are stepping up efforts to cooperate with Korea on hydrogen energy, with both countries seeking to expand their renewable energy resources.
Supported by their respective governments, private consortiums from New Zealand and Korea signed a letter of intent (LOI) in Seoul on Nov. 28.
The LOI was about cooperation on feasibility and core technology required to develop liquid hydrogen, which will be imported from New Zealand to Korea.
The signing ceremony took place at New Zealand Ambassador Philip Turner's residence. Also joining from New Zealand were Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker and New Zealand Hydrogen Association CEO Linda Wright.
From the Korean side were H2 Korea Chairman Moon Jae-do and SEA LH2 Consortium head Chang Dae-jun, who also serves as a Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) professor.
"While opportunity for New Zealand to export green hydrogen from its abundant renewable energy resources is in its infancy, the signing of this LOI by private sector companies and supported by the respective governments clearly indicates the potential for New Zealand to become a major exporter of green renewable energy in our Asia-Pacific region," Wright said.
"Once the evaluation of the technical and economic feasibility has been completed, it is hoped that the initiative will lead to a more detailed project involving the engineering and concept design of key facilities and rigorous economic analysis."
The export of green hydrogen, according to Wright, can play a big role in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. The development of a hydrogen economy in New Zealand is expected to advance transition to zero emissions.
On Dec. 12, Australia and Korea held a joint seminar on cooperation on hydrogen at the National Assembly.
The seminar was co-hosted by the National Assembly's New Renewable Energy Forum, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and H2Korea. The Australian Embassy in Seoul sponsored the event.
Alan Finkel, an Australian scientist, gave a keynote speech on the Australian government's National Hydrogen Strategy and the Advancing Hydrogen Fund, which supports the development of a clean, innovative and competitive hydrogen industry in Australia and aims to position Australia as a world leader in exporting hydrogen by 2030.
Representatives from H2Korea and KIST gave a briefing on strategy and the status of the hydrogen economy.
"There is global momentum to develop the hydrogen economy, and Korea has already positioned itself as a leader in hydrogen technology," Australian Ambassador to Korea James Choi said.
"Critically, Australia is looking to create international partnerships in this sector. We look forward to building on the strong existing cooperation between Australia and Korea to realize the opportunities of technical breakthroughs in hydrogen production, storage and transport."
H2Korea Chairman Moon Jae-do said, "The path to a hydrogen-centered society cannot be pioneered by one country. Australia and Korea can utilize each other's advantages to cultivate a win-win case for hydrogen cooperation by sharing future strategies and technology development and encouraging industry to find detailed cooperation measures for global hydrogen economy."
Rep. Lee Won-wook, who leads the New Renewable Energy Forum, expressed hope that the seminar would be "a foundation for bilateral cooperation, sharing both countries' research and development and technology to enter the hydrogen energy era."
