Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWSInternational experts will exchange ideas on the production, logistics, use and safety of green hydrogen at the Germany-Korea Hydrogen Conference in Seoul on October 31 and November 1, 2023. The Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS is contributing its expertise to the event, particularly in materials research and scale transfer.
"Last year we hosted the conference together with our partners in Berlin. I am very pleased that we are now making the return visit to Seoul and will participate this time as co-organizers. Germany and South Korea have a similar need for research in establishing a hydrogen economy as a contribution to CO2 neutrality in their respective economies. The two technology-strong nations are also among the pioneers in this field," says Dr. Klemens Ilse, group leader "Material Diagnostics for H2 Technologies" at the Fraunhofer IMWS, about the context of the event, which has been taking place since 2020.
The program of the two-day conference includes, for example, a look at market developments, national strategies and political measures; the corresponding opening session will be moderated by Ilse. The other sessions will focus on current trends and challenges in hydrogen production, the logistics required for transport and, in particular, import hydrogen, new applications and safety aspects. In one presentation, Ilse will highlight "The role of materials research for the up-scale of green hydrogen production." Institute Director Prof. Dr. Erica Lilleodden is part of the Fraunhofer delegation that will be on-site in Seoul and emphasizes in advance: "The conference shows the efficiency and effectiveness of the German-Korean cooperation. In addition to scientific exchange, it is also for identifying synergies and facilitating market access for companies with strong research capabilities."
The members of the "Fraunhofer Innovation Platform for Hydrogen Energy" will visit various companies as well as the Korea Institute of Energy Technology KENTECH. "We have maintained very close relations with KENTECH and many other institutions for years. I am particularly pleased that Dr. Jens Brandenburg and Udo Philipp, two state secretaries of the German government, will also be there. This underscores the importance of working together to create powerful solutions for pressing issues of the future," says Ilse.