An image of the hydrogen charging station that will be built at the National Assembly in Seoul. (image: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy)
SEOUL, Sept. 10 (Korea Bizwire) — The world’s first hydrogen charging station at a parliament building opened at the National Assembly in Seoul on Tuesday.
The achievement is seen as a new era for the hydrogen economy in South Korea as the country’s political center now accommodates a commercial hydrogen charging station.
The two hydrogen stations in Yangjae and Sangam have been suffering from concentrated usage.
To make matters worse, the Yangjae station was built as a research platform where visitors can recharge hydrogen for free, attracting hydrogen consumers not only from Seoul, but also from the Greater Seoul Metropolitan Area, where there are currently no recharging stations available.
Once the next hydrogen station opens in Gangdong District within this year, Seoul will have four charging stations with coverage that stretches across the entire city.
There are currently 28 hydrogen charging stations in South Korea, with an additional 111 already approved for construction.
It is also notable to see that hydrogen stations, which used to be built in less populated areas, are now entering urban areas as more people are driving hydrogen vehicles and restrictions are being lifted.
There are still many more leaps to make, however, to see more hydrogen stations in the city.
First of all, it is more costly to build and operate hydrogen stations in urban areas where land prices are expensive, which calls for subsidies and public financing.
Assuaging the fears of local residents on the safety of hydrogen is also one of the tasks at hand, which calls for robust education and promotions initiatives to see it as an opportunity to create an eco-friendly city.
Experts argue that hydrogen explosions are very unlikely since hydrogen is low in density and spreads quickly through the air.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
