【Ten Years of Rapid Development in Chemical Equipment】From 2013 to 2023: China’s first high-efficiency electrolytic water hydrogen production devices were put into use

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On December 12, 2023, it was learned from China Huaneng Group Co., Ltd. (referred to as “China Huaneng”) that the “Huanhan”-200 model of 3.0-megapascal, single-stack, megawatt-class proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer developed by China Huaneng has been put into commercial use at the 3-megawatt photovoltaic-powered PEM water electrolysis hydrogen production demonstration station in Delingha, Qinghai. This marks China Huaneng’s success in developing products related to the key materials, core components, devices, and system integration for PEM hydrogen production, thereby achieving the commercial application of a highly efficient water electrolysis hydrogen production system for the first time in China. It lays a solid technical foundation for the development of China’s green hydrogen industry. PEM electrolysis for hydrogen production boasts advantages such as high hydrogen production efficiency, high hydrogen output pressure, fast dynamic response, a wide operating range, and no pollution. It has strong adaptability to the variability of renewable energy generation, making it one of the hydrogen production technologies with the best compatibility for use with renewable energy sources. Leveraging a **-level research project led by China Huaneng, China Huaneng Science & Technology Group Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Huaneng Science & Technology) and the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (hereinafter referred to as the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences) have jointly developed a single-stack megawatt-class medium-pressure PEM electrolyzer for hydrogen production. On this basis, HuanDian KeGong, relying on its independently developed hierarchical pre-tension loading technology, collaborated with the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences to develop the \"HuaHan\" series of medium-pressure PEM electrolyzers with a hydrogen production capacity of 10–400 standard cubic meters per hour; the overall technical specifications of these products reach international advanced levels. The Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics is a research institution in China that was among the first to develop technologies for PEM electrolysis-based hydrogen production, and it boasts a solid technical foundation. China Huadian thoroughly adheres to the concept of green development; while advancing the development and construction of renewable energy sources, it is also committed to the research and industrial application of green electricity-based hydrogen production technology. Since 2022, the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics and China Huaneng have, in response to the major demands associated with the development of hydrogen energy and by leveraging their complementary strengths, carried out cooperation on PEM electrolysis technology for hydrogen production. By building on a national-level research project led by China Huaneng, they have developed a 3.0 MPa, single-stack, megawatt-class PEM electrolyzer for hydrogen production. This device utilizes the large-area, low-permeability membrane electrode homogenization preparation technology independently developed by the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics. It also incorporates a number of key technical advancements, including medium-pressure resistant sealing wiring and pre-tightening packaging, an efficient gas-liquid distribution flow field, a highly durable composite electrode structure, and low-power consumption medium-pressure electrolyzers. Furthermore, leveraging technologies such as graded pre-tightening compression, the collaborative team has developed a series of medium-pressure PEM electrolyzers under the \"Huahan\" brand, with a hydrogen production capacity ranging from 10 to 400 Nm3/h; the overall technical specifications of these products reach international advanced levels. In the future, HuanDian Science & Technology will further strengthen its cooperation with the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, to accelerate the technological advancement of key materials and components. By integrating resources from related industrial chains, it aims to reduce the cost of these devices, enhance the level of autonomy, and improve the market competitiveness of HuanDian’s PEM electrolysis hydrogen production technology. This will enable better support for the \"dual carbon\" goals and help drive the green, high-quality, and sustainable development of hydrogen energy technologies and industries.