Hyundai Motor Group Transitions Antarctic Research Station to Eco-Friendly Energy with Green Hydrogen Grid

Hyundai Motor Group is introducing a clean hydrogen energy circulation model at Antarctic research stations to support sustainable polar research activities.

On Thursday the 18th, Hyundai Motor Group signed a 'Business Agreement for the Establishment of a Green Hydrogen Grid at Antarctic Research Stations' at the Conrad Hotel in Yeouido, attended by key figures including Mr. Kim Sung, President and Head of Global Strategy Office at Hyundai Motor Group, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kang Do-hyung, and Dr. Shin Hyung-chul, Director of the Korea Polar Research Institute.

This agreement was initiated to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the King Sejong Antarctic Research Station in 2028, aiming to improve the power system of Antarctic polar research facilities, which have traditionally relied on diesel generators, and to transition towards eco-friendly energy.

Based on this collaboration, Hyundai Motor Group expects to contribute to energy diversification and carbon neutrality at the Antarctic research stations by implementing a clean energy circulation model encompassing hydrogen production, storage, and power generation in Antarctica.

**Complementing renewable energy variability with a green hydrogen grid and establishing a foundation for eco-friendly energy self-sufficiency at Antarctic bases**

A 'green hydrogen grid' is a hydrogen-based power system utilising renewable energy. It is an eco-friendly energy circulation system that produces and stores hydrogen by electrolysing water using electricity generated from renewable sources like solar power, and then uses this hydrogen in fuel cells to generate electricity.

To reduce Antarctica's dependence on diesel generation and compensate for the variability of renewable energy, Hyundai Motor Group has decided to establish an Antarctic-specific green hydrogen grid. This involves producing and storing hydrogen using surplus solar power during periods of abundant sunlight, and then using fuel cells to generate electricity again when solar power generation is limited.

To this end, Hyundai Motor Group will leverage its hydrogen technology capabilities and know-how to install relevant equipment at the Antarctic research stations, including ▲ an 'electrolyser' for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen, ▲ a 'hydrogen storage system' for compressing and storing hydrogen, and ▲ a 'fuel cell generator' for producing electricity using hydrogen.

Simultaneously, the expansion of solar power generation facilities will be pursued to increase the solar power capacity at the Antarctic base.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Korea Polar Research Institute will cooperate on the installation and operation of the relevant local facilities and will introduce a hybrid power management system encompassing hydrogen, solar, and diesel generation to gradually increase the share of eco-friendly energy.

Hyundai Motor Group, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and the Korea Polar Research Institute expect that introducing hydrogen solutions tailored to the Antarctic environment will not only increase the utilisation of renewable energy but also contribute to the stable power operation of the research stations and the creation of a sustainable polar research environment.

Furthermore, by establishing a foundation for eco-friendly energy self-sufficiency at the Antarctic research stations, they aim to create conditions that allow research activities to continue even in extreme environments and accelerate the push for carbon neutrality at the research facilities.

**Revitalising the global hydrogen ecosystem based on locally tailored 'produce-and-consume' hydrogen solutions**

The core of the Antarctic-type green hydrogen grid promoted by Hyundai Motor Group is a 'produce-and-consume' clean energy circulation model, where eco-friendly energy is produced and consumed locally within Antarctica.

Due to their isolated location, Antarctic research stations have not been connected to external power grids. Poor weather and logistical conditions have made it difficult to secure a stable supply of energy sources, leading to power generation primarily based on diesel, which is easier to transport in bulk and store long-term.

Currently, the proportion of diesel power generation at the King Sejong and Jang Bogo Antarctic research stations operated by the Korea Polar Research Institute is approximately 97%, meaning the vast majority of electricity relies on fossil fuels.

While both stations have previously installed solar power facilities and used them for some electricity generation with the goal of transitioning to eco-friendly energy, they have faced difficulties in securing a stable energy supply due to frequent weather variables such as storms and snowfall, as well as significant seasonal variations in sunlight hours caused by the summer midnight sun and winter polar night phenomena.

To overcome these environmental challenges and accelerate climate change response and carbon reduction as facilities primarily researching climate and environmental fields, the Antarctic bases have decided to gradually increase the use of eco-friendly energy, starting with the establishment of this green hydrogen grid.

Through this project, Hyundai Motor Group will expand the foundation of the global hydrogen ecosystem based on the hydrogen technology capabilities and business experience accumulated both domestically and internationally.

Domestically, the Group has been developing hydrogen city creation projects in areas such as Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, and Paju, Gyeonggi Province, which involve building clean hydrogen production facilities and linking them to storage and utilisation.

Internationally, building on this, the Group is promoting hydrogen ecosystem creation projects in Indonesia, Hong Kong, and other locations, designing and applying hydrogen solutions tailored to local markets.

Based on this proven experience, Hyundai Motor Group expects that by introducing hydrogen solutions optimised for the extreme Antarctic environment, it will not only support the carbon neutrality efforts of the Antarctic bases but also solidify its competitiveness and leadership in the global hydrogen industry in the future.

Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Group is carrying out various social contribution activities under its CSR mission: 'We move correctly for individuals who move freely, a society where people live safely, and a planet that thrives healthily.'

In particular, the Group continues its CSR activities leveraging its advanced technology capabilities, including the development and support of ▲ 'Unmanned Firefighting Robots' for the safety of the public and firefighters, ▲ the 'X-ble MEX' rehabilitation robot for the treatment of injured soldiers, and ▲ 'Hydrogen Electric Buses for Firefighter Recovery Support' to provide rest for firefighters.