Economics and Sustainability of Introducing Clean Hydrogen from Australia in the Republic of Korea

Hydrogen is one of the alternative energy sources given its clean combustion without carbon emissions and high gravimetric energy density. However, it is required for the hydrogen to be generated by cleaner pathways rather than the conventional gas reforming pathway which emits significant carbon. Currently, it is considered that water electrolysis using renewable energy is the ultimate cleaner pathway of hydrogen production. Unfortunately, given that renewable energy capacity has a large deviation by the global region and may not meet some regional demands, the international trading of renewable energy-based clean hydrogen will be inevitable. In line with the trend, a case study of introducing clean hydrogen from Australia in Korea is conducted with economic and environmental impact analyses to indicate its economics and sustainability. In the pathway of hydrogen introduction, water electrolysis with renewable energy mix, and ammonia are considered as the hydrogen production way, and hydrogen carrier, respectively.