Professor Hanho Song's Lab: Advanced Energy Systems Research Lab



Lab representatives: Mingyu Cho, Woojae Shin

 

Q1. Please briefly introduce your lab and the research areas.

 

Our lab is the Advanced Energy Systems Research Lab, led by Professor Hanho Song. In our lab, we conduct research on various thermal energy systems, including fuel cells, desalination, and internal combustion engines, based on thermodynamics. We aim to simulate energy systems through experiments or physics-based modeling, including AI-based modeling like reinforcement learning, to confirm the characteristics of the researched energy systems. Our goal is to improve the efficiency and environmental performance of existing energy systems. Recently, we have been collaborating with Hyundai Motors to develop models for electric vehicles and cooling systems, actively conducting research to derive optimal heat management system control strategies.

In addition, in line with the growing social trend of interest in renewable energy, we are conducting research on environmentally friendly renewable energy and establishing frameworks for environmental assessments required for them. For example, based on an understanding of the current energy system industry, one of our major research areas is conducting a life-cycle assessment of hydrogen, electricity, and other energy sources. The life-cycle assessment quantifies the total energy and pollutant emissions from the manufacturing to disposal/recycling of the analyzed subject. Notable research examples include evaluating the environmental performance of electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and proposing criteria for assigning eco-friendly grades based on hydrogen production method.

 

Q1-1. Then, while there are various fields dealing with heat and energy, what are the differences between energy research in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and in other fields?

 

What are the differences from energy research in your field?

I believe the difference lies in focusing on mechanical devices such as turbines and energy conversion mechanisms, conducting in-depth analyses in mechanical engineering regarding thermodynamics and energy.

 

 

Q2. Please briefly introduce your representative research.

 

I have mainly focused on two areas: first, experiments and simulations related to various energy fuel utilization technologies, and secondly, life-cycle analysis of eco-friendly fuels and technologies. I completed my doctoral thesis focusing on hydrogen life-cycle analysis. Briefly introducing this research, most of the hydrogen we currently use is obtained through steam reforming or gasification reactions of fossil fuels, resulting in greenhouse gas emissions at a level similar to directly using fossil fuels. However, recently, very low greenhouse gas emission, economically competitive clean hydrogen technologies have emerged, and various countries are putting forward various support policies to encourage them. I focused on this and developed a methodology for life-cycle analysis that can answer the question, "Which hydrogen technology is more environmentally friendly, i.e., emits less greenhouse gases," in an engineering-neutral and inclusive manner, encompassing most hydrogen production and conversion technologies. Furthermore, based on the greenhouse gas emissions throughout the entire process, I proposed optimization theories for clean hydrogen incentive policies in major countries' policy contexts for developing economic support systems, as there were no precedents for preliminary research. Through close consultation and review with relevant experts, we were able to suggest an optimization theory for clean hydrogen incentive policies that can consider various stakeholders and market participants for the first time in the world.

 

 

Q3. Please tell us what you found most difficult while conducting this research and how you overcame it.

 

This research was conducted in conjunction with government projects aimed at establishing government policies. Therefore, it provided a much broader experience than typical engineering research projects, but at the same time, it demanded a much greater responsibility. As it was a project and policy with so many stakeholders directly involved, all analyses and decision-making had to be justifiable on an engineering basis. Moreover, considering that the calculation results would lead to policy-making and subsequently influence stakeholders, it required a considerable level of expertise outside of engineering in terms of policy implications. Therefore, the sense of responsibility and burden were challenging not only for me but also for the researchers working together. To overcome this difficulty, our team made collaboration and interdisciplinary consensus essential core values. Through close cooperation with responsible lab members, we conducted numerous cross-validation processes during the analysis, strengthening the evidence and credibility of the research. Particularly, through close consultation and review with relevant experts, we were able to make a meaningful contribution to national hydrogen policies based on the greenhouse gas emissions throughout the entire process. Although it is still in progress, the difficulty in this process is now remembered as a meaningful experience rather than a source of great fear for us, and I believe it will continue.

 

 

Q4. Please introduce any special devices or facilities you have in your lab.

 

Our lab has equipment for conducting experiments on various thermal energy systems. We have equipment for PEMFC and SOFC fuel cell experiments, desalination experiments, and engine experimental sets. Additionally, for combustion research, we have equipment for ignition and combustion characteristic experiments for fuels such as a Rapid Compression Machine (RCM), a static combustion chamber for measuring fuel injection and combustion characteristics using optical equipment, and a gas chromatograph and exhaust analyzer for analyzing gas composition. Furthermore, we use software such as GT-Power, Converge, and Aspen for energy system modeling and simulation.

 

 

Q5. Any additional comments you would like to make.

 

I believe that graduate school is a place not only to acquire knowledge in specific research fields but also to cultivate problem-solving skills necessary for whatever career path you choose after graduation. Through research, I learned problem-solving skills and logical thinking by setting research content, investigating prior research, designing experiments, and deriving meaningful results from experimental data. Although there is a fear of diving into problems without clear answers, the sense of achievement when applying the knowledge learned in undergraduate studies to research and achieving good results cannot be overstated. It is when you perform experiments to implement what you predicted theoretically and confirm it with your own eyes, and when the results of your research and development efforts are commercialized through industrial projects, that you can feel a sense of fulfillment as a researcher. If you want to experience such learning and experiences, I recommend entering graduate school.

 

MEch-SSENGER Inyoung Kim