Seoul Chooses 230-Megawatt Fuel Cell Power to Hedge Against Blackouts

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Written by Richard Finlayson, Senior International Editor for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--After being jolted by rolling blackouts in September 2011, caused by peak power supply shortfalls in a late heat wave , the municipal government in South Korea's capital Seoul is turning to hydrogen fuel cells to provide backup power and secure the system.

The blackouts, which subsequently led to the resignation of the energy minister, had a particularly sharp effect on urban areas and caused the government to investigate the advantages of alternate energy sources to handle peak emergency situations.

The 29 fuel cell power plants to be installed in Seoul are scheduled to produce 230 megawatts (MW) by 2014 and provide a continuous power supply to about 400,000 households. The fuel cell power source has the advantages of low noise generation and zero pollutant generation. These attributes of the hydrogen/oxygen fuel mix lead to their suitability for use in domestic and special requirement transport sectors.

The Seoul city government is planning to attract investment from power companies and private capital funders to build the plants and also install 102 hydrogen fuel cells in buildings by 2014. A municipal spokesman said that the fuel cell network across the city would hedge against sudden power cuts in the subway or water supply systems.

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