McDermott’s unit and KOGAS to explore large-scale liquid hydrogen storage

McDermott’s storage business CB&I and Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS) have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the development of large-scale liquid hydrogen storage to support Korea’s Hydrogen Economy Roadmap.

In 2021, South Korea announced plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 by replacing coal-fired power generation with renewable sources and internal combustion engine vehicles with hydrogen-powered vehicles.

KOGAS now operates four LNG regasification terminals and 4,945 kilometres of natural gas pipelines in South Korea.

“Hydrogen has emerged as a key enabler to meet these decarbonisation goals and KOGAS will play a leading role in building the infrastructure for hydrogen shipping, storage and distribution to make these ambitions a reality,” said Seung Lee, executive vice president of KOGAS.

CB&I specializes in designing and building field-erected pressure spheres capable of storing liquid hydrogen at temperatures of minus 423 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also nearing completion of the world’s largest liquid hydrogen sphere in Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S.

“Viable storage solutions on both ship and shore will be fundamental for South Korea to realize its carbon neutrality goals,” said Cesar Canals, senior vice president of CB&I.

“With ongoing research and development efforts well underway to scale up capacity thresholds for liquid hydrogen storage, CB&I is honored to join KOGAS in setting the pace for the rapid development of a large-scale hydrogen economy for South Korea.”