On the morning of April 22, 2026, an impressive gathering of international energy leaders will converge at Woosuk University’s Jeonju campus for the 9th Woosuk International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Forum. This annual event, held at the W-SKY23 observatory on the 23rd floor, is more than just another academic conference—it’s a sign of South Korea’s growing ambition to lead the global hydrogen economy and set the pace for clean energy innovation.
The forum’s lineup reads like a who’s who of hydrogen and fuel cell expertise. Among the notable attendees are Laurent Antoni, Secretary General of the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE), Hong Mei, the head of China’s hydrogen fuel cell delegation and a professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Lee Hong-gi, Woosuk University’s Vice President of Industry-Academic Cooperation. Lee isn’t just a local figure—he was elected chair of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Fuel Cell Technical Committee (IEC/TC 105) in 2023, and now leads global efforts to standardize fuel cell technology. According to Gas News, Lee will steer important discussions on policy and technology direction at the forum, highlighting the critical role that international cooperation plays in advancing hydrogen.
Hydrogen, once a niche topic, is now at the heart of Korea’s industrial strategy. The event’s agenda reflects this urgency, with presentations focusing on mutual recognition of green hydrogen certification, the role of international standardization, updates on China’s hydrogen and fuel cell development, domestic energy policy trends, and the vital link between fuel cell commercialization and global standards. These aren’t just technical points—they’re the building blocks for a new era of energy.
One of the forum’s highlights will be a panel discussion chaired by Lee Hong-gi, bringing together experts from several countries to dig deep into the state of fuel cell technology development, R&D progress, and strategies for industrial expansion. As Lee put it, “The competitiveness of the hydrogen fuel cell industry depends on securing international standards. Through this forum, we will share policies and technologies from each country and further strengthen global standardization cooperation.” (Gas News)
The stakes are high. International standardization isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a competitive advantage. If Korean companies and researchers can help shape the global rules for hydrogen and fuel cells, they stand to benefit as the world races to decarbonize. The forum is co-hosted by Woosuk University’s RISE Project Group and the Wanju Hydrogen Research Institute, with backing from Jeollabuk-do Special Self-Governing Province, Wanju County, the National Institute of Technology and Standards, and H2Korea. It’s a community-wide effort, and the message is clear: Korea is putting its weight behind hydrogen.
But this push for leadership isn’t confined to the academic world. On April 13, 2026—just days before the forum—Lotte SK Enerute, a joint venture formed in 2022 by SK Gas, Lotte Chemical, and Air Liquide Korea, announced the successful completion and commercial launch of its second hydrogen fuel cell power plant, Ulsan Hydrogen Power Plant No. 1. According to ZDNet Korea, this new facility joins Ulsan Hydrogen Power Plant No. 2, which began commercial operations in June of the previous year. Each plant boasts a generation capacity of 20 megawatts, and the company has its sights set on a total of 80 megawatts by the end of 2026.
What makes Ulsan Hydrogen Power Plant No. 1 particularly noteworthy is its innovative use of byproduct hydrogen. Located on the grounds of Lotte Chemical’s Ulsan facility, the plant will run for the next 20 years, drawing byproduct hydrogen from SK Gas subsidiaries and Lotte Chemical group factories. This hydrogen—previously flared off or used in low-value applications—is now being harnessed as a high-value, low-carbon energy source. The environmental benefits are clear: by converting this hydrogen into electricity, the plant reduces carbon emissions and makes productive use of what would otherwise be waste.
To ensure a steady supply, Lotte SK Enerute is building a hydrogen pipeline network connecting multiple suppliers and power plants, reinforcing Ulsan’s position as a hydrogen hub. The company is also integrating an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) system, supported by government funding through the Ulsan Mipo National Industrial Complex energy self-sufficiency project. The ORC system captures waste heat from the fuel cell process and turns it into additional electricity—a clever way to squeeze even more efficiency from the operation. According to ZDNet Korea, this approach not only boosts the plant’s output but also maximizes energy utilization, setting a new benchmark for clean power generation.
Executives at Lotte SK Enerute are bullish about what this means for the region and the country as a whole. Co-CEO Gil Ho-moon stated, “The hydrogen fuel cell power project is a core business in the journey to convert hydrogen resources into energy in the Ulsan region and ultimately achieve net zero.” His counterpart, Shim Mi-hyang, added, “The completion of Ulsan Hydrogen Power Plant No. 1 is significant in that it has increased the utilization value of hydrogen resources in the industrial complex through eco-friendly power generation using byproduct hydrogen. We will continue to expand hydrogen power projects and develop clean hydrogen applications to contribute to the creation of an eco-friendly hydrogen energy ecosystem.” (ZDNet Korea)
It’s not just about the technology or the energy—it’s about building a new ecosystem. The vision is ambitious: a network of hydrogen suppliers, pipelines, and power plants working in concert to provide clean, reliable electricity, all while reducing the nation’s carbon footprint. By integrating waste heat recovery and focusing on high-efficiency models, Lotte SK Enerute aims to make hydrogen not just an alternative, but a cornerstone of Korea’s energy future.
These efforts dovetail with the broader themes of the Woosuk forum, where international experts will debate how to align standards, recognize green hydrogen across borders, and accelerate commercialization. As China’s rapid progress in hydrogen and fuel cells comes under the spotlight, and as Korean policymakers and technologists share their own advances, the forum promises to be a melting pot of ideas—and perhaps, the birthplace of new collaborations.
What’s striking is how these two stories—a university-led international forum and a corporate-led power plant launch—reflect a larger national strategy. Korea isn’t just talking about hydrogen; it’s building the infrastructure, setting the standards, and staking its claim as a leader in the global transition to clean energy. With international cooperation, cutting-edge technology, and a clear eye on standardization, the country is positioning itself at the forefront of the hydrogen revolution.
As the world watches, Korea’s hydrogen ambitions are moving from blueprint to reality, one power plant and one international forum at a time.