The Ministry of Science and Technology has released the **key research and development program on ‘hydrogen energy technology’: proton exchange membrane electrolyzer technology for megawatt-scale water electrolysis to produce hydrogen**

Recently, the megawatt-class proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis hydrogen production system developed by the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics began operating at full capacity at the hydrogen comprehensive utilization station of State Grid Anhui Company. The system has a rated hydrogen production capacity of 220 Nm3/h, with a peak production capacity of 275 Nm3/h. This megawatt-class hydrogen production system, together with the megawatt-class fuel cell power generation system under construction, lays a technical foundation for demonstrating new models of large-scale comprehensive utilization of green hydrogen. Fuel cell power generation is a clean and efficient power generation technology; it is a topic of active research and development in the international energy sector and represents an emerging technology with promising prospects for future development. Megawatt, in English: megawatt, usually abbreviated as MW, is a unit used to express power; it is often used to indicate the amount of electricity that a generator set can produce per unit of time under normal operating conditions. The conversion relationship between megawatts and kilowatts, as well as watts, is: 1 megawatt = 1 million watts ； 1 megawatt = 1000 kilowatts ； 1 megawatt = 0.1 ten kilowatts ； 1 megawatt = 0.01 million watts. The proton exchange membrane (PEM) is the core component of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), playing a crucial role in the performance of these cells. It not only has a barrier function but also conducts protons. Fully proton-exchange membranes mainly use fluorosulfonic acid-type proton exchange membranes ； Nafion recast membrane ； Non-fluorinated polymer proton exchange membrane ； New types of composite proton exchange membranes, etc.

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 the electrolyzers currently 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 application 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 CSIC 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 low overall costs, 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 comparison, 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 such energy sources. The production of proton exchange membranes was for a long time monopolized by a few companies 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; Dongyue’s first phase of its production facility for proton exchange membranes, with a capacity of 1.5 million square meters, has already started operations, while Kerun’s project to produce proton exchange membranes on a scale of 1 million square meters 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 pursuing; 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 application direction should focus on a combination of alkaline and PEM devices. ”A staff member from the 718 Research Institute of CSSC told reporters.

On March 9, 2022, the R&D project for hydrogen production via PEM membrane electrolysis using ME-grade materials at Beijing Yanshan Petrochemical was officially approved and registered! This means the launch of Sinopec’s own MW-class electrolyzer project under “First Hydrogen Energy Company”. At the end of 2021, Yanshan Petrochemical collaborated with research institutions such as the China Academy of Petroleum Sciences to develop a pilot-scale PEM membrane electrolysis system for hydrogen production. The MW-scale PEM hydrogen production project approved yesterday is likely an extension of the Yanshan Petrochemical pilot project. 2022 was a year when the hydrogen energy industry moved from dreams to reality. What signals does this development send to the industry that we need to pay attention to? Sinopec is hailed as the \"leading hydrogen company\"; the launch of its MW-scale PEM water electrolysis projects demonstrates its existing expertise in electrolyzer technology as well as the significant advantages that come from its established business framework. It also indicates that the domestic market for water electrolysis equipment will face fierce competition.

The most mature hydrogen production technology through water electrolysis in our country is alkaline water electrolysis; research and application 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.

On the morning of September 28, the ceremony marking the establishment of CSIC (Handan) Pairei Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the 718th Research Institute of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, in the Hydrogen Energy Equipment Industrial Park of Handan Economic Development Zone was successfully held. Gao Heping, a leader from Handan City; Pu Chungan, Secretary-General of the China Industrial Gases Industry Association; Zhang Jingchao, Secretary of the Party Working Committee and Director of the Management Committee of the Handan Economic and Technological Development Zone; and Wang Weijiang, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Director of the Handan Investment Promotion Bureau, were invited to attend. **Representatives from companies such as Energy Group, CNNC Planning and Design Institute, and Hebei Construction Investment Group were invited to attend. Li Junhua, the director of the 718 Institute and deputy secretary of the Party committee, attended the meeting and delivered a speech; Deputy directors Ba Junzhou, Gong Zhigang, and others were present among the leadership of the Hanzhou Institute. Li Junhua first extended a warm welcome to all the leaders and guests who attended the inauguration ceremony, and expressed his sincere gratitude to the leaders at all levels as well as friends from various sectors who have long cared about, supported, and assisted in the development of the 718 Institute. Li Junhua pointed out that hydrogen energy is the clean energy with the greatest potential for development this century, representing the future direction for strategic energy use by humanity. With the advancement of policies aimed at achieving **carbon peak and carbon neutrality**, water electrolysis for hydrogen production will become an important method for obtaining \"green hydrogen.\" The market prospects are excellent, and the industry has a bright future ahead. As one of the earliest research institutions in China to work on electrolytic water splitting for hydrogen (oxygen) production, Institute 718 holds a number of independent intellectual property rights related to hydrogen energy technologies. It operates the world’s largest production line for hydrogen generation using such systems, with a market share of over 60% in the domestic market for hydrogen production equipment; its products are exported to more than 30 countries and regions. The institute has been responsible for the hydrogen production projects for all three Winter Olympics. It is also the largest supplier of high-pressure hydrogen systems for fuel cells in China, holding an important position in the country’s hydrogen energy industry. The comprehensive capabilities of its hydrogen production systems via water electrolysis are leading in China and at an advanced level worldwide. Li Junhua emphasized that CSIC (Handan) Puri Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (referred to as Puri Hydrogen Energy Company), which has set up operations in this industrial park, was established in August 2021 after the 718 Institute responded to the call for achieving **“dual carbon” goals** and took it as its mission to provide relevant services. By integrating resources from the five business units within the institute that are involved in the hydrogen energy sector, the company was founded with a registered capital of 100 million yuan. Its operations cover the entire hydrogen energy industry chain, including production, storage, transportation, and refueling, and involve various fields such as water electrolysis for hydrogen production, hydrogen production from fossil fuels, hydrogen-based transportation, and marine hydrogen energy. Upon establishing its operations there, Periy Hydrogen Energy Company will use the Handan Hydrogen Energy Equipment Industrial Park as its main R&D and manufacturing base. It will focus on the development of core technologies and the production of advanced equipment, striving to build a product portfolio centered on hydrogen production through the electrolysis of renewable energy sources, with hydrogen refueling stations, key equipment, and on-board hydrogen systems serving as complementary components. The company aims to establish a center for R&D and manufacturing of hydrogen energy equipment, a platform for collaborative innovation in hydrogen energy technology, and a demonstration center for hydrogen energy applications. On July 18th, we aspire to work hand in hand with our colleagues to contribute to the development of hydrogen energy industry in our country, and strive to become a key force in the production of hydrogen from renewable energy sources on a global scale. Pu Chungan and Zhang Jingchao delivered speeches at the ceremony. Warm congratulations on Perry Hydrogen Energy’s entry into the industrial park. Pu Chungan pointed out that as a green energy source, hydrogen is bound to play an increasingly important role in the **energy structure, gaining greater market potential and brighter prospects for development. As a leading developer and manufacturer of industrial gases in China, the 718 Institute holds a pivotal role in areas such as specialty gases and hydrogen production via water electrolysis, making significant contributions to the development of China’s industrial gas industry. This entry into the industrial park is an important step taken by the 718 Institute and China National Industrial Gases to further strengthen the integration of production and research and to meet market demands. Zhang Jingchao pointed out that the official establishment of the 718 Institute’s hydrogen energy project in the Hydrogen Energy Equipment Industrial Park represents a significant milestone. The Economic Development Zone will seize the opportunity and act in line with the trends, strengthen cooperation with the 718 Institute, continuously improve service quality, and drive the growth and strengthening of the hydrogen energy industry. After the ceremony, the attending leaders and representatives from various sectors jointly visited the Hydrogen Energy Industry Exhibition Hall of the 718 Institute, as well as the provincial-level R&D platforms and the testing and final assembly workshops, where in-depth discussions were held on further promoting the development of hydrogen energy and establishing cooperation. Jiang Yaxiong, assistant to the director of the 718 Institute, along with officials from Handan Economic Development Zone, relevant departments of the 718 Institute, and various companies, attended the ceremony.