(Jeongdo Ilbo) The Seoul Metropolitan Government completed the facility improvement work to double the charging capacity of the’Yangjae Hydrogen Charging Station’ and reopened on March 1.
Yangjae Hydrogen Charging Station was the first hydrogen charging station in Seoul, installed for research in 2010, and operated until 2019. In order to expand the supply of hydrogen cars, one of the Seoul Green New Deal policies, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has undertaken facility improvement work (December 20th to Feb. 17th, 2011) to fully upgrade it to commercial hydrogen charging facilities.
Yangjae Hydrogen Charging Station, which has completed the facility improvement work, has increased its hydrogen storage capacity by more than 2.5 times per day (120 → 350 kg), and the number of vehicles that can be charged per day will also expand to about 3 times (24 → 70). It is expected that the inconvenience of citizens using hydrogen vehicles, who have suffered from the shortage of charging infrastructure in Seoul, will be resolved somewhat.
The city explained that the number of vehicles capable of supplying hydrogen vehicles will increase by about 560 with the reopening of the Yangjae hydrogen charging station, considering the normal hydrogen charging cycle (8 days with a single charge).
The city of Seoul has carried out a facility improvement project at Yangjae Hydrogen Charging Station, making safety a top priority. It received three stages of safety inspection (technological review, intermediate inspection, and completion inspection) from Korea Gas Safety Corporation, a gas safety organization, and made every effort to ensure facility safety by receiving safety preliminary consulting during the construction process. In the future operation process, safety is a top priority through safety inspections, self-inspection, and external inspections at least twice a year.
Yangjae Hydrogen Charging Station is open all year round from March 1 except on Chuseok and New Year’s Day. It can be used 14 hours a day (08:00-22:00).
The charging fee is 8,800 won/kg*, which is the same as for private hydrogen charging stations in Seoul. It operates on a 100% reservation system to minimize waiting time and prevent traffic congestion. Reservations can be made through the smartphone application’H2care’.
Yangjae hydrogen charging station provides charging service for up to 5 units per hour and up to 70 units per day.
‘Sangam Hydrogen Station’, a public hydrogen charging station in Mapo-gu, opened in October last year and operated for free, will also be charged the same charge as the Yangjae hydrogen charging station from March 1.
However, for a limited time (‘21.3.~’22.2.), a 30% discount is given to the charging fee for hydrogen cars registered in the autonomous district where the hydrogen charging station is installed.
Prior to the official opening, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has a three-day (2.26.~28.) pilot operation period to check service operation. During this period, it operates only for 10 hours (from 12:00 to 22:00), and the recharge amount is free.
Even during the trial charging period, it operates on a reservation basis and provides charging service for up to 50 vehicles per day. Reservations can be made from February 25th and 12:00.
Seoul Mayor Seo Jeong-hyup visited the Yangjae Hydrogen Charging Station on the morning of the 25th before the reopening and checked the status of preparation for the opening.
Seo, the agency of authority, boarded the hydrogen car and confirmed the charging demonstration. We checked the safety of major facilities such as chargers, hydrogen compressors, storage containers, and hydrogen tube trailers (hydrogen storage and transport equipment), and received an explanation of the future safety management plan from the operator, Seoul Energy Corporation.
We held a meeting with experts in the field of Green New Deal and hydrogen, and discussed the safety of hydrogen charging stations, the direction of the hydrogen economy, and the current status of the Green New Deal.
Currently, there are three hydrogen charging stations in Seoul (Sangam, Gangdong Sangil, and the National Assembly), and when Yangjae hydrogen charging stations are opened, four will operate simultaneously.
Seo Jeong-hyup, acting mayor of Seoul, said, “With the opening of the Yangjae hydrogen charging station equipped with the latest facilities and more than double the charging capacity, it is expected that the inconvenience of the hydrogen car users who have suffered from the lack of charging infrastructure will be somewhat resolved. Above all, safety is the top priority and we will alleviate citizens’ anxiety about hydrogen charging stations. “Seoul City will continue to expand the hydrogen charging infrastructure to expand the supply of hydrogen vehicles. We will lead the hydrogen-based economic growth and Green New Deal, and will actively respond to the climate crisis.”