H2 MEET Organizing Committee Announces H2 Innovation Award 2024 Results:
The H2 MEET Organizing Committee, chaired by Nam-Hoon Kang, announced the winners of the prestigious H2 Innovation Awards 2024 on September 25th. Iljin Hysolus (CEO Sung Mo Yang) secured the Grand Prize for its groundbreaking ‘Type 4 Hydrogen Transport Tube Trailer’ during a ceremony held at KINTEX Exhibition Hall 1 in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do. The event was co-hosted by the Korea Automobile & Mobility Industry Association, the Korea Hydrogen Association, the Hydrogen Energy Network, and the Korea Energy Agency.
Now in its fourth year, the H2 Innovation Awards celebrate innovative hydrogen technologies from companies of all sizes, from large corporations to startups. The awards cover three key categories—hydrogen production, storage and transportation, and utilization—and aim to foster industry growth and technological exchange.
Top Innovation Technologies Recognized
The awards selection process began in July, with the committee reviewing applications and selecting ten finalists. The Grand Prize and top category winners were chosen based on final presentations and technical evaluations. The winners are as follows:
- Grand Prize: Iljin Hysolus’s ‘Type 4 Hydrogen Transport Tube Trailer’
- Top Prize in Hydrogen Production Category: Utility Global’s ‘H2Gen™ Reactor’
- Top Prize in Storage/Transportation Category: Mt. H Control Valves’ ‘High-Pressure Hydrogen Dispenser Flow Control Valve’
- Top Prize in Utilization Category: EFlow’s ‘1.5kW Hydrogen Fuel C
Grand Prize Winner: Iljin Hysolus’s ‘Type 4 Hydrogen Transport Tube Trailer’
Iljin Hysolus, the only company in Korea with the technology to manufacture Type 4 hydrogen fuel tanks, took home the Grand Prize for its ‘Type 4 Hydrogen Transport Tube Trailer.’ The trailer, made from a carbon fiber composite and non-metallic liner, offers a significant upgrade over conventional steel-based (Type 1) containers. It provides superior storage capacity, enhanced safety, and reduces fuel costs by lowering the overall weight, thus improving the efficiency of hydrogen transportation. Globally, only Iljin Hysolus and Toyota of Japan possess the capability to manufacture such trailers.
Accepting the award, Jaewon Hwang, Executive Vice President of Iljin Hysolus, expressed gratitude to his team, saying, “I sincerely thank everyone who worked tirelessly day and night. I ask the government to continue its unwavering support to help the hydrogen industry thrive.”
Top Prize Winners
- Hydrogen Production Category: The top prize in this category went to Utility Global for its ‘H2Gen™ Reactor.’ Powered by the company’s proprietary eXERO technology platform, the reactor produces hydrogen using carbon monoxide from industrial exhaust gases, requiring no external electricity. This technology offers significant advantages in terms of cost-efficiency and flexibility across various industrial processes.
- Storage and Transportation Category: Mt. H Control Valves won the top prize for its ‘High-Pressure Hydrogen Dispenser Flow Control Valve.’ The innovative valve allows for precise flow control without the need for equipment shutdowns, making it highly adaptable to varying specifications. Its design simplifies production processes while enhancing management efficiency.
- Utilization Category: EFlow’s ‘1.5kW Hydrogen Fuel Cell Power Generator’ earned the top prize for utilization. This portable generator provides an off-grid power solution, ideal for emergency use during blackouts. It operates without noise, smoke, or pollution and can be recharged with hydrogen, offering a reliable and sustainable energy source.
Other Excellence Award Winners
In addition to the grand and top category prizes, several companies received Excellence Awards, including:
- Hydrogen Production Category: TechCross for its renewable energy-connected alkaline water electrolysis system, and Carbon Value for its blue hydrogen production using an RPB-based CO2 capture system.
- Storage and Transportation Category: Emerson Korea for its liquid hydrogen safety valve, and UNID bt Plus for its hydrogen gas detection product.
- Utilization Category: Energyn for its low strain rate tensile tester for hydrogen embrittlement evaluation, and the Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials for its direct injection hydrogen engine.
Supporting Innovation in Hydrogen
In his congratulatory speech, Chairman Nam-Hoon Kang emphasized the critical role that the hydrogen economy will play in the future, noting that the H2 Innovation Awards are instrumental in promoting innovation across the hydrogen value chain, including production, storage, transportation, and utilization. He added that such recognition supports the balanced development of Korea’s hydrogen industry.
The 2024 H2 Innovation Awards ceremony highlighted the growing prominence of hydrogen technologies in tackling global energy challenges. With innovations such as Iljin Hysolus’s Type 4 Hydrogen Transport Tube Trailer, the future of hydrogen-based solutions looks increasingly promising.
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