BASF and G-Philos sign MoU for cooperation on green hydrogen production

BASF New Business GmbH (BNB), a wholly owned subsidiary of BASF SE (Ludwigshafen, Germany), and the leading Korean power-to-gas (P2G) system company G-Philos have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to cooperate in P2G projects globally. Up to 2022, BNB will supply NAS batteries that can provide a total of 19.2 MWh of energy to G-Philos for P2G projects. BNB will support G-Philos in further P2G projects and in the development of business with Power Conversion Systems (PCS) for NAS batteries in South Korea as well as in the global market. Through the collaboration, the two companies expect synergy effects in the field of P2G systems for green hydrogen production.

Green hydrogen production from renewable energies, such as solar, wind and hydro, without CO₂ emissions has been drawing ever-more global attention in recent years. In South Korea, the Green New Deal comprises plans to invest KRW 73.4 trillion ($61 billion) in projects, including renewable energy and hydrogen, as a part of South Korea’s policy to transform into a low-carbon society. P2G technologies will be one of the key elements of this plan. South Korea is expanding its renewable energy supply and clean hydrogen production in a similar manner to the E.U., which recently announced its own Hydrogen Strategy. With the recently signed MoU, BNB and G-Philos are now joining forces to support the expansion of green hydrogen production from renewable energy.

BNB distributes NAS batteries produced by NGK Insulators Ltd. NAS batteries are high-energy, long-duration sodium-sulfur batteries designed for stationary energy storage. With their capability to discharge for 4–8 hours, NAS batteries are ideally suited for applications such as renewable power stabilization and integration into the grid. In order to use the electrical energy stored in the battery, a power conversion system (PCS) is needed.

G-Philos has developed a suitable PCS for a 200 kW NAS battery system. The battery and the PCS have already been commissioned in a P2G project implemented by G-Philos in collaboration with Korea Midland Power (KOMIPO) at Sangmyung Wind Farm (21 MW), Jeju Island, South Korea. In this case, the NAS battery serves as an energy buffer between wind turbines and electrolyzers to ensure stable hydrogen production from surplus wind power despite the fluctuating nature of wind. G-Philos can now supply PCS products for the NAS battery systems ranging from 200 kW up to 800 kW.

Gawoo Park, CEO of G-Philos, said: “In order to stably produce green hydrogen while accommodating the variability of renewable energy, the NAS battery is expected to play an important role in securing system operation safety and reliable long-term operation as an energy buffer. G-Philos will keep focusing on commercializing green hydrogen production through various P2G projects.”

BNB’s Director of E-Power Management, Frank Prechtl, said: “Green hydrogen production is an upcoming market and a promising application for NAS batteries. With G-Philos, we now have a strong and competent partner to develop this opportunity into a sizeable business.”