Utility, the off-gas-to-value company behind the proprietary H2Gen® hydrogen production system, has announced a joint project development agreement with Kunhwa E&C, a prominent South Korean engineering and consulting firm. This strategic partnership aims to deploy multiple biogas-to-hydrogen plants across the country, advancing South Korea’s commitment to clean energy and industrial decarbonization, reports Hydrogen Central.
The collaboration aligns directly with South Korea’s Hydrogen Economy Roadmap, which emphasizes the use of biogas and hydrogen to cut greenhouse gas emissions, improve waste management, and reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. As the government ramps up investment in biogas infrastructure, technologies like H2Gen offer practical, scalable solutions that can be implemented quickly and cost-effectively.
Under the agreement, Utility and Kunhwa will co-develop and deploy H2Gen-powered hydrogen production hubs, starting with regional facilities designed to supply hydrogen for heavy-duty mobility applications, including fuel cell-powered buses, trucks, and trams.
Ju Seob Lee, Vice-Chairman of Kunhwa’s Mechanical & Electrical division, said the collaboration marks an important step in the company’s effort to support industrial decarbonization. “Kunhwa is committed to transforming sectors that are difficult to decarbonize. Our partnership with Utility helps us bring advanced, carbon-negative hydrogen technology to market.”
H2Gen® systems utilize chemical reactions to convert biogas and other industrial off-gases directly into hydrogen — without needing electricity or extensive gas upgrading. This novel approach avoids the high costs and complexity of traditional hydrogen production methods like Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) or electrolysis.
Key Advantages of H2Gen Technology:
Converts raw biogas into hydrogen without requiring it to be upgraded to renewable natural gas (RNG)
Reduces capital costs compared to RNG-SMR systems
Compact design occupies only a third of the space of conventional systems
Operates without electricity, making it significantly smaller and more flexible than electrolyzers
Delivers neutral to negative Carbon Intensity (CI) scores, in line with Korea’s low-carbon targets
Modular and scalable; ideal for deployment at landfills, wastewater treatment plants, and livestock farms
Requires minimal biogas pre-treatment and little to no hydrogen post-treatment
Parker Meeks, CEO and President of Utility, expressed optimism about the venture’s impact. “With our H2Gen technology, Utility is proud to support South Korea’s global leadership in clean hydrogen. The country’s regulatory environment is highly supportive of innovation. This collaboration enables on-site hydrogen production that is both clean and cost-effective.”
He added that beyond mobility, the technology has the potential to decarbonize other hard-to-abate industries like steel and petrochemicals, contributing to a broader transformation of South Korea’s energy landscape.
The partnership between Utility and Kunhwa represents a significant step toward building a sustainable hydrogen economy that turns waste into value — while powering cleaner transportation and industry.
