South Korea’s domestic fuel cell economy is about to take off – and Bloom Energy is a key driver of this transformation.

South Korea's domestic fuel cell economy is about to take off - and Bloom Energy is a key driver of this transformation.

In early September, representatives from Bloom Energy, SK ecoplant, and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) gathered at the 2024 Korea Energy Expo in Busan, South Korea for a ceremony hosted by KHNP. The event celebrated a significant milestone: the successful localization of electrolyte materials production within South Korea.

As a critical component of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), domestic production of electrolyte materials marks a major advancement for South Korea's energy sector. This achievement moves the country closer to establishing an independent SOFC market, reducing reliance on imports. By bridging key supply chain gaps, Bloom Energy is helping to enhance the technological competitiveness of South Korea's fuel cell ecosystem and paving the way for the global expansion of its industry-leading Energy Server.

The milestone follows a historic agreement signed by the companies at the 2021 Korea Energy Expo. Three years later, they reconvened to celebrate the progress and the bright future ahead. In recognition of its support for this ongoing localization effort, KHNP presented Bloom Energy with a commemorative award. Korean companies that have significantly contributed to this initiative and its global reach also attended, further enriching the event.

What's next for the South Korea fuel cell economy?

With domestic electrolyte materials production now established, the next crucial step is the successful processing of these materials for use in Bloom's Energy Server. South Korean manufacturers are confident this final milestone will be reached by 2025. In the meantime, South Korean-produced electrolyte materials will begin to enter Bloom Energy's supply chain throughout the remainder of 2024.