[Gas Newspaper = Sang-won Han, Reporter]

Three years have passed since the first hydrogen-specialized companies were selected in 2021, and as the hydrogen industry continues to evolve, 

the product portfolios of these specialized companies are also becoming more diversified. Examples include the transition from gaseous hydrogen to liquid hydrogen utilization, large-capacity hydrogen refueling stations, and the development of fuel cells for mobility and water electrolysis systems.

Among them, Hogreen Air, which was selected as a hydrogen-specialized company last March, 

is preparing for the future by developing hydrogen drones and fuel cell power generation systems. 

As a hydrogen power pack–based green energy system engineering company, Hogreen Air collaborates with 75 domestic and international partners and is developing and advancing diverse business 

models using its proprietary technologies.

The company is highly regarded for its outstanding fuel cell system engineering, which ensures that fuel cells operate properly as complete systems through optimized integration of components such as stacks.

 This capability is critical, as even high-quality components cannot deliver full performance without robust system engineering. 

Based on this strength, Hogreen Air provides differentiated solutions for drones, forklifts, and stationary power generation systems, boasting higher efficiency and reliability compared to competitors.

First Hydrogen Specialized Company Selected in Gwangju, Recognized for Technological Excellence

Hogreen Air’s 12 kW PEMFC Power Generation Fuel Cell

Hogreen Air became the first company in Gwangju Metropolitan City to be designated as a hydrogen-specialized company, demonstrating that innovation and 

advancement in hydrogen industry technologies are

 accelerating in the region. 

Founded in 2016, the company has secured its technological foundation with a total of 36 patents and continues to conduct R&D through national and local government research programs.

Notably, Hogreen Air develops hydrogen drones and fuel cell power generation systems, providing specialized solutions for heavy-duty ground and aerial mobility 

as well as mid- to large-scale distributed power generation. Its technologies—including fuel cell power pack manufacturing, development of 100 kW-class evaporative 

cooling power generation systems, system fabrication through parallel connection of fuel cell modules, and efficiency enhancement through

 component lightweighting and minimization—have attracted strong attention within the industry.

Proprietary Software Including Ground Control and Facial Recognition Systems

Compared to conventional drones, hydrogen drones offer a significant advantage in terms of extended flight time.

 Hogreen Air’s drones differentiate themselves not only through hardware but also through strong software capabilities, including Ground Control Systems (GCS) and facial recognition systems. 

Since its early stages, the company has operated an in-house software team, developing and managing its own GCS and facial recognition programs.

This convergence of technologies accelerates the advancement of hydrogen drone capabilities and expands their applicability across various industries. 

Hogreen Air’s hydrogen drones enable precise and versatile mission execution through a 3D map–based GCS system, providing solutions for managing infrastructure such as gas pipelines, bridges, wind turbines, and offshore plants—areas that are difficult or dangerous for human access.

With flight durations of up to 14 hours, the drones can also capture terrain data for surveying, real estate, gas inspection, and 3D map production services.

 Additionally, the company possesses license plate recognition and counting technologies, enabling regular road patrols for criminal searches and enforcement of traffic law violations.

However, for these advanced technologies to be fully commercialized, regulatory easing is required, including revisions to the Hydrogen Act and Personal Information Protection Act.

 It is regrettable that time is passing without the full utilization of such advanced technologies. 

The rapid realization of a hydrogen society and hydrogen economy will depend on the combination of proactive corporate R&D and investment, along with strong government support and institutional reforms.