Photo credit: Yuldong-With-U
Urban living in Ulsan, South Korea, has just become greener, thanks to the world's first “hydrogen apartment” complex, which was recently unveiled in Ulsan's Buk-gu district.
Called the “Yuldong With You” apartments, all 437 units are powered by hydrogen fuel cells, which FuelCellsWorks says will not only cut residents' electricity bills by 30-40 percent, but also have a positive impact on the planet.
Large cities like Ulsan, with a population of over one million, provide large amounts of energy for industry, homes, businesses, transportation networks, and more. Unfortunately, in many cities, much of this energy comes from polluting fuel sources such as oil, coal, and gas. But as the United Nations explains, that's changing rapidly as the transition to cleaner energy accelerates.
Apartment complexes like Yuldong With You prove that with a little ingenuity, urban living can be more sustainable and comfortable. The apartment complex is powered by the Yuldong Combined Heat and Power Plant, located about a tenth of a mile away, which uses hydrogen as a by-product from nearby industry to efficiently generate clean electricity and heat, according to Interesting Engineering.
Most importantly, FuelCellsWorks explains that this method of hydrogen production is the cheapest option compared to other methods. Since the plant first went online in June, it has generated about 840 megawatts of energy, valued at approximately 150 million won (more than $109,000). This means that hydrogen could be a game-changer when it comes to providing clean, abundant energy to major cities.
The complex's three shipping container-sized fuel cells will be installed on its rooftop and produce up to 1.32 MW of electricity from approximately 112 pounds of hydrogen per hour, which Interesting Engineering says is enough energy per hour to power four average-sized homes for a month.
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Additionally, the heat generated during the process is collected and stored in a 40-ton energy-efficient thermal storage tank, and the water, which reaches up to 158 degrees, is piped to each apartment unit for heating, according to FuelCellsWorks, making the entire process earth-friendly.
The media explained that Ulsan city authorities are working to make hydrogen-generated electricity even more affordable and sustainable by amending the Electricity Business Act to give residents direct access to clean energy.
If the law is changed, Yuldong With You apartments will be completely carbon neutral, setting a precedent for green urban living.
Developers around the world are proving that it's possible to live in harmony with nature even in densely populated cities. From Toyota's hydrogen-fueled smart city in Japan to a Swiss apartment block made from recycled concrete and powered by solar, hydro and geothermal energy, green technology is starting to play a bigger role in modern life.
As more developers and cities adopt these clean energy sources, residents will be able to save money on their electricity bills and protect themselves from extreme weather events primarily caused by rising temperatures and pollution levels.
Plus, it's definitely cool to be able to say you live in a hydrogen-powered home or apartment.
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