ISLAMABAD, JULY17: In Ulsan, South Korea, the first “hydrogen apartment” building in history has been built. All 437 homes that make up the Yuldong-With-U complex rely on hydrogen fuel cells for energy and heat.
After a month of operation, the city of Ulsan will determine the cost of the hydrogen electricity and heat produced by this novel system. The apartments generated 840 MWh of electricity in June alone. In terms of traditional utility expenditures, that would come to about $108,286 (150 million won).
Situated about 200 meters away from the complex, the Yuldong Combined Heat and Power Plant provides electricity to the Yuldong-With-U residences. Hydrogen, a byproduct of nearby businesses, is used in this facility and is delivered via a 10-kilometer pipeline.
The technology that runs on hydrogen is renowned for being both economical and environmentally friendly. Utilizing three fuel cells the size of containers, the facility produces 1.31 megawatts of electricity per hour from 51 kg of hydrogen on the rooftop of the residential building.Every hour, this output is enough to provide four-person households with a month’s worth of electricity.
The process generates heat as well as electricity, and the heat is collected and stored in a 40-ton thermal accumulator. In order to provide effective heating solutions, the stored heat is used to warm water to as high as 70°C, which is then pumped straight into the dwellings.
The Yuldong-With-U complex is evidence of the hydrogen fuel cell’s potential for use in residential settings. By utilizing this technology, the advancement provides a more affordable option for traditional energy sources while also lessening its influence on the environment.This ground-breaking Ulsan project redefines the global benchmark for energy-efficient housing and showcases the direction of sustainable urban life.
