(279b) Feasibility of Importing Solar-Based Green Hydrogen from Australia in the Republic of Korea in Aspects of Both Economic and Environmental Impact

As one of the feasible alternative energy sources, hydrogen(H₂) has been receiving constant attention. However, since H₂ is a secondary energy source produced using primary resources such as natural gas and renewable power, the production capacity of H₂ varies considerably depending on the capable resource amount. Thus, several countries that have insufficient resources may not be able to fulfill their energy demands with their own production and even cause high expenditures for production, requiring importation from overseas. The Republic of Korea is one of the representative countries and has been emphasizing the need to introduce overseas H₂ and striving to promote related projects. In line with the trend, this study aims to verify the competitiveness and feasibility of importing clean H₂ from Australia as a representative case. For the clean H₂ production way, solar energy and water electrolysis basis green H₂ production are considered. Several realistic projects underway between the Republic of Korea and Australia are considered to investigate the possible scope of the case study. By comparing the overseas green H₂ production pathway with the domestic one, the feasibility of importing H₂ in aspects of both economic and environmental impact can be indicated suggesting appropriate guidelines for government and industry to prepare H₂ society by establishing concrete plans to trade H₂ internationally.