Ulsan Leaps Forward as Climate Tech Hub: Column 'COP in Action' Gains Traction
Ulsan Leaps Forward as Climate Tech Hub: Focusing on Securing Future Growth Engines
Ulsan Metropolitan City is working to shed its image as a traditional industrial city and emerge as a leading climate technology center. With a robust concentration of shipbuilding, automotive, and petrochemical industries, Ulsan is leveraging its existing research institutions, ports, and energy infrastructure to secure new growth engines that address climate change. At the heart of this transformation are projects like hydrogen co-firing power generation, fuel cells, AEM water electrolysis, and CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage) demonstration projects. Ulsan is focusing its investments on commercializing and expanding these technologies. In particular, Ulsan is pursuing climate tech development and demonstration projects tailored to the specific characteristics of each region, including Jangsaengpo, Mipo, and Onsan, to create synergistic effects. Jangsaengpo is actively developing hydrogen mobility and carbon resource technologies, while Mipo focuses on floating offshore wind power generation, and Onsan hosts CCUS processes. These efforts are expected to play a crucial role in transforming Ulsan from a simple industrial city into a forward-looking, eco-friendly one.
Accelerating Region-Specific Climate Tech Development and Demonstration
Ulsan Metropolitan City's transformation into a climate tech hub aims not only to foster new industries but also to create synergistic effects with its existing core industries. Ulsan expects to strengthen the competitiveness of its existing shipbuilding, automotive, and petrochemical industries and create new jobs through hydrogen co-firing power generation, fuel cells, AEM water electrolysis, and CCUS demonstration projects. For example, the development of hydrogen mobility technology can contribute to the transformation of Ulsan's automotive industry toward eco-friendly vehicles, while carbon resource technology can reduce carbon emissions and create new added value for the petrochemical industry. In addition, floating offshore wind power generation technology can be linked to Ulsan's maritime industry to usher in a new era of offshore energy. Ulsan is promoting the sustainable growth of the regional economy through region-specific climate tech development and demonstration projects. The South Korean government is also actively supporting Ulsan's efforts, providing policy support to foster Ulsan as a leading city in the climate tech industry.
Joining Global Climate Change Response Efforts
Ulsan Metropolitan City's transition to a climate tech hub demonstrates its commitment to actively participate in global climate change response efforts, beyond simply growing the regional economy. Ulsan is actively promoting technology development and demonstration projects to reduce carbon emissions, striving to contribute to the South Korean government's carbon neutrality goals. In particular, Ulsan is focusing its investments on CCUS technology development to commercialize technologies that capture, utilize, and store carbon emitted from industrial sites. It is also taking the lead in reducing dependence on fossil fuels and transitioning to eco-friendly energy systems through hydrogen energy technology development. These efforts are expected to make Ulsan a model city for global climate change response and enhance its standing in the international community. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung also actively supports Ulsan's climate tech industry development, declaring that South Korea's climate change response capabilities will be strengthened, centered around Ulsan.
Strengthening its Position as a Leading Hydrogen Economy City
Ulsan Metropolitan City is solidifying its position as a leading hydrogen economy city through hydrogen energy technology development and demonstration projects. Ulsan has successfully developed and commercialized various hydrogen energy technologies, including hydrogen co-firing power generation, fuel cells, and AEM water electrolysis, thereby building a hydrogen energy ecosystem within the region. In particular, Ulsan is focusing its investments on fostering the hydrogen mobility industry, actively promoting the expansion of hydrogen vehicle supply and the installation of hydrogen refueling stations. It is also contributing to increasing the stability of power supply within the region and transitioning to eco-friendly energy systems by building hydrogen fuel cell power plants. These efforts are expected to make Ulsan a central city in the hydrogen economy and play an important role in promoting the development of related industries. The South Korean government is actively supporting Ulsan's hydrogen energy industry development, planning to revitalize South Korea's hydrogen economy, centered around Ulsan. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has also noted South Korea's hydrogen energy technology capabilities and proposed strengthening cooperation in the hydrogen energy sector between the two countries.
Presenting a Sustainable Urban Development Model
Ulsan Metropolitan City's transition to a climate tech hub has important implications beyond simple economic achievements, as it presents a sustainable urban development model. Ulsan is building an eco-friendly city that pursues both environmental protection and economic growth, striving to pass on a better environment to future generations. In particular, Ulsan is focusing on increasing the environmental sustainability of the city by implementing various environmental policies, including air quality improvement, water pollution prevention, and waste reduction. It is also working to reduce carbon emissions by increasing energy efficiency and expanding the use of renewable energy. These efforts are expected to make Ulsan a model case of sustainable urban development and inspire other cities. The South Korean government is providing various policy supports to spread Ulsan's sustainable urban development model nationwide and plans to strengthen South Korea's urban competitiveness based on Ulsan's experience.
