Green future solutions presented by Seoul National University's top engineering experts.
A milestone in the carbon-neutral era, connecting technology, industry, and policy.

"Technological Revolution for Carbon Neutrality as Told by Seoul National University Professors" is a climate technology report planned primarily by the Seoul National University Institute for National Future Strategy.
Fourteen leading professors from various departments of Seoul National University's College of Engineering will comprehensively explain the principles and prospects of 11 core fields, including hydrogen, secondary batteries, power grids, heat pumps, CCUS, and climate technology.
Each technology examines its feasibility in industrial settings, while also suggesting specific roles for government and universities, offering scientific insights that bridge the gap between theory and practice.
This book will serve as an introductory guide, providing a systematic understanding of the role and market outlook of each technology, especially for high school students considering careers in engineering and environmental fields, and policy and industry practitioners tasked with formulating future industrial strategies.
In a world where eco-friendliness is the future of competitiveness, this book serves as a realistic compass for readers who ask themselves, "What should I study, what direction should I pursue my research, and where should I focus my efforts?"

Addressing climate change is a necessary condition for human survival, but it is not a sufficient condition for sustainable development.
If we focus solely on the single goal of carbon reduction and sacrifice other values, we will miss the essence of sustainability.
Ultimately, what we should pursue is not simply zero emissions, but a future where economic prosperity and healthy living are balanced. This is where the role of science and technology shines.
--- p.6, "Preface | What Can Science and Technology Do in the Carbon Neutral Era?"

To ultimately reduce greenhouse gases, steel must be produced in a way that does not emit carbon dioxide, and steel produced in this way is called 'carbon-free steel.'
Research on this began relatively recently, with major countries including the United States, the EU, Japan, and China, including Korea, beginning research and development around the same time.
The three technologies mentioned above (scrap metal recycling, hydrogen ironmaking using green hydrogen, and electrolytic ironmaking using carbon-free electricity) are being developed in common across all countries.
The US currently holds a slight advantage due to its long-standing focus on scrap metal recycling technology, while the EU is leading the way in green hydrogen steelmaking with significant investment in projects.
However, overall, the technological gap between countries is not yet large, as research has only recently begun.
--- p.50, "Technology and Market Trends in the Domestic and International Steel Industry"

Because industries are more interconnected than we might think, a halt to coal-fired power could cause problems for the cement industry.
If fly ash, a byproduct of coal-fired power generation, cannot be used, it could have a negative impact on the overall domestic economy, such as rising cement prices and instability in the housing market due to a construction downturn or reduced supply.
To proactively address potential problems arising from these industrial linkages, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy is conducting research and development on technologies to discover and apply various mixed materials as a government project.
--- p.74, "Overview of the Cement Industry"

Hydrogen production using renewable energy or nuclear power plants, fuel cells or hydrogen turbines that use this hydrogen to generate electricity, producing synthetic fuel (e-fuel) by capturing hydrogen and greenhouse gases (CO2) and reacting them with hydrogen, producing ammonia by reacting hydrogen and nitrogen, and hydrogen reduction ironmaking that produces steel using hydrogen instead of coal are all called hydrogen technologies, and they are all technologies that can play an important role in moving toward carbon neutrality.
--- p.92, "Hydrogen Technology for Carbon Neutrality: Water Electrolysis and Fuel Cell Technology"

Hydrogen is being used in a variety of fields beyond power generation, including industry, transportation, and agriculture. Expanding the production of clean hydrogen is essential for the transition to eco-friendly energy.
Currently, most hydrogen is extracted from natural gas, and in the process, large amounts of carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere.
The reason hydrogen is attracting attention is because it is an energy source that does not emit carbon dioxide throughout its production and utilization process.
Therefore, the existing hydrogen production method using natural gas should be avoided, and the production of 'green hydrogen' using surplus renewable energy power and water electrolysis technology should be increased.
--- p.132, "Overview of the Hydrogen System"

Eco-friendly heating and cooling devices such as heat pumps are technologies that will greatly help people live better lives in the future.
In order to research and develop this, it is very important to first recognize the importance and potential of these devices.
At the high school level, it is necessary to build basic knowledge by studying various subjects including physics, chemistry, and mathematics evenly.
In particular, it is important to thoroughly understand concepts such as the law of conservation of energy and the law of conservation of mass covered in physics and chemistry, and to learn the basic principles of efficiency.
Ultimately, developing heat pumps and achieving carbon neutrality comes down to improving the efficiency of all devices in the world.
--- p.176, "The Role of Government and Universities in Leading Heat Pump Technology"

The power system is fundamentally a structure with regional imbalance problems.
This is a common phenomenon not only in our country but also in most countries around the world.
This problem arises because the areas where electricity consumption is concentrated (metropolitan areas) and the areas where renewable energy generation is active (local areas) are geographically far apart.
For example, in our country, most electricity consumption is concentrated in Seoul and the metropolitan area, while renewable energy generation is more active in local areas such as Jeollanam-do.
Similarly, in the UK, the region with the most renewable energy generation is in the north, while the region with the highest electricity demand is in the south, centered around London.
--- p.217, "Overview of Power Systems"

To achieve carbon neutrality, it is essential to accelerate CCUS projects, including carbon conversion, and to activate the carbon-neutral market.
To this end, the establishment of laws, systems, and infrastructure must be prioritized. To swiftly enact integrated CCUS legislation, the government must establish a comprehensive support system, encompassing finance, banking, systems, domestic infrastructure construction support, and securing acceptance.
In addition, in order to have greenhouse gas reductions achieved through CCUS projects conducted overseas recognized as domestic reductions, it is necessary to promptly develop calculation and certification methodologies.
--- p.278, "The Role of Government and Universities in Carbon Transition"

Ultimately, AI is becoming a core technology in every process, from battery research and development to manufacturing and safety management.
As battery optimization technology utilizing AI continues to develop, it is expected to play a significant role in improving battery performance and securing price competitiveness.
AI technology is particularly likely to expand further in electric vehicle batteries and energy storage systems (ESS). As AI advances, faster and more efficient innovations in the battery industry will become possible.

--- p.294, "Principles of Battery Technology"