[Haichuan Hydrogen Energy] The megawatt-class proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis hydrogen production system developed by the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics is now operating at full capacity at the **Anhui Electric Power Company’s Hydrogen Comprehensive Utilization Station**

Depending on the material of the electrolyzer membrane, water electrolysis for hydrogen production is theoretically classified into alkaline water electrolysis (AE), proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis, and high-temperature solid oxide water electrolysis (SOEC). Alkaline electrolyzed water technology (AE) is currently the most mature hydrogen production method using electrolysis in China. However, as PEM electrolysis for hydrogen production becomes more advanced, its adoption rate is expected to increase rapidly; it is anticipated that these two methods will divide the market in the future. Recently, the megawatt-class proton exchange membrane water electrolysis hydrogen production system (hereinafter referred to as “PEM water electrolysis hydrogen production”) developed by the Fuel Cell System Science and Engineering Research Center at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics began operating at full capacity at the hydrogen comprehensive utilization station of State Grid Anhui Company. According to on-site tests by experts, the system has a rated hydrogen production capacity of 220 standard cubic meters per hour, with a peak production rate of 275 standard cubic meters per hour. The Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics told reporters that this marks the first time a PEM water electrolysis hydrogen production system has reached the megawatt level. With technological advancements and further cost reductions, PEM water electrolysis for hydrogen production will become, along with alkaline water electrolysis, one of the main technologies for hydrogen production. Industry analysts believe that the significant breakthroughs achieved in domestic large-scale PEM water electrolysis hydrogen production systems will further lay a technical foundation for large-scale demonstrations of hydrogen production from renewable energy sources. Key technical approaches: Currently, hydrogen production methods can be divided into three categories: hydrogen production from fossil fuels, hydrogen production as a by-product of industrial processes, and hydrogen production from renewable energy sources. Hydrogen production from fossil fuels and industrial by-products remains the main approach currently in use, while hydrogen production from renewable energy sources represents the trend for the future. Depending on the material of the electrolyzer membrane, water electrolysis for hydrogen production is theoretically classified into alkaline water electrolysis (AE), proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis, and high-temperature solid oxide water electrolysis (SOEC). According to experts, hydrogen production through water electrolysis using high-temperature solid oxides requires sophisticated equipment, presents greater technical challenges, and operates in harsh conditions; as a result, the technology is not yet mature enough to be applied on an industrial scale. Staff from the 718 Research Institute of CSSC explained that currently, electrolyzers used in industrial applications follow two main technical approaches: the first is alkaline electrolyzers, and the second is PEM electrolyzers. “The most mature hydrogen production technology through water electrolysis in our country is alkaline water electrolysis; research and development of this technology began back in the 1980s and 1990s. However, as PEM electrolysis for hydrogen production becomes more advanced, its adoption is expected to increase rapidly, and it is likely that these two methods will each account for half of the market in the future. ” Since the beginning of this year, demand for domestic water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment has seen a significant increase, and PEM water electrolysis hydrogen production technology has advanced rapidly. At present, in China, institutions such as the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the 718 Research Institute of CSSC are conducting research on PEM water electrolysis hydrogen production technology, and orders for related equipment have seen significant year-on-year growth. However, most of the equipment currently delivered and put into use in China are small-scale electrolyzers.

It has unique advantages. A researcher in water electrolysis for hydrogen production at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, told reporters that alkaline water electrolysis for hydrogen production has a low overall cost, but it faces issues such as alkali loss, corrosion, and high energy consumption; its performance is not very good in the face of fluctuations, and energy storage is required when it is used in combination with wind and solar power. In contrast, PEM water electrolysis for hydrogen production features a high operating current density, low energy consumption, and high hydrogen production pressure; it is well-suited to the fluctuating nature of renewable energy generation and can be easily integrated with the utilization of renewable energy. The production of proton exchange membranes was for a long time monopolized by a few manufacturers in the United States and Japan, such as DuPont and Gore. Currently, domestic companies like Dongyue and Kerun are actively getting involved in this field; the first phase of Dongyue’s production facility for 1.5 million square meters of proton exchange membranes has already been put into operation, while Kerun’s project to produce 1 million square meters of such membranes has also begun. With continuous advancements in domestic technology, there is great potential for domestic proton exchange membranes to replace imported ones. In terms of investment costs, the current investment required for PEM electrolysis is 5 to 10 times that of alkaline electrolysis, and the cost associated with PEM electrolysis is also at least twice as high as that of alkaline water electrolysis. The aforementioned researcher believes that, against the backdrop of the rapid development of renewable energy, PEM water electrolysis for hydrogen production holds unique advantages and is worth promoting; currently, challenges such as the high cost of precious metal catalysts and the need to develop domestic proton exchange membranes need to be addressed. “Alkaline water electrolysis equipment has a low unit cost but takes a long time to start up, while PEM water electrolysis equipment has a high unit cost but starts up quickly; therefore, for hydrogen production via renewable energy power generation, it is necessary to achieve stable power output with minimal fluctuations. In fact, these two hydrogen production technologies via water electrolysis are not contradictory; considering factors such as cost and adaptability, the future direction for application should be based on a combination of alkaline and PEM devices. ”A staff member from the 718 Research Institute of CSSC told reporters.

The market has great potential. According to statistics from the International Energy Agency (IEA), the global annual installation capacity for water electrolysis has been growing rapidly in recent years. In 2014, the global addition of capacity for water electrolysis was only 9,100 kilowatts; by 2019, this figure had risen to 25,400 kilowatts per year. Meanwhile, the IEA predicts that from 2020 to 2023, the annual addition of capacity for water electrolysis will experience rapid growth, reaching 1.4331 million kilowatts by 2023; the average annual compound growth rate will be as high as 75.44% compared to 2014. PEM electrolysis hydrogen production technology is gradually becoming an important approach for the development and application of renewable energy, as it can start and stop quickly, adapt to the fluctuations in renewable energy generation, and enhance the flexibility of power systems. According to data from the China Hydrogen Energy Alliance, in 2020, China’s annual hydrogen demand was 33.42 million tons. The main sources of hydrogen supply were hydrogen produced from fossil fuels and hydrogen generated as a by-product of industrial processes at lower costs; renewable energy-based electrolysis for hydrogen production accounted for only about 1.52% of the total supply, amounting to roughly 510,000 tons. Under the goals of peak carbon emissions and carbon neutrality, China’s annual hydrogen demand is expected to reach 37.15 million tons. Hydrogen produced from coal through carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, along with hydrogen generated by electrolysis using renewable energy, will become the main sources of hydrogen supply, with electrolysis-based hydrogen accounting for 15% of the total. A report by Shenwan Hongyuan Securities indicates that at that time, the demand for water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment will continue to rise, creating a huge market. *All text, images, and audio-video materials on this website that are labeled as originating from \"China Energy News/China Energy Network\" are copyrighted by China Energy News. They may not be reproduced without authorization. For works whose source is not indicated as \"China Energy News/China Energy Network\", the copyright belongs to the original creators, and such content does not represent the views or positions of this website. If there is any infringement, please contact us so that the relevant content can be removed.