China Unveils $2 Trillion Hydrogen Transformation

SCMP: China sets green hydrogen targets as it shifts to cleaner energies in zero emissions push

China aims to establish a complete hydrogen industry covering transport, energy storage and industrial sectors, and “significantly improve” the portion of the gas in its energy mix by 2035, according to a plan released by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on Wednesday.

By 2025, China hopes to produce between 100,000 tonnes and 200,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually, and have about 50,000 hydrogen-fuelled vehicles on the road. This would help to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1 million to 2 million tonnes per year, a statement from the NDRC said.

China, the world’s largest producer of hydrogen, has been stepping up efforts to transition to cleaner fuels as it aims for net-zero emissions by 2060. It has prioritised hydrogen as an emerging industry under its 14th five-year plan.

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The "Planning" proposes to coordinate the layout of the national hydrogen energy industry, reasonably grasp the progress of industrial development, avoid disorderly competition, promote the construction of hydrogen energy infrastructure in an orderly manner, strengthen the safety management of hydrogen energy infrastructure, and accelerate the construction of safe, stable and efficient hydrogen energy supply network.

One is to arrange hydrogen production facilities according to local conditions. In areas where coking, chlor-alkali, propane dehydrogenation and other industries are concentrated, priority is given to utilizing industrial by-product hydrogen. In areas rich in renewable resources, priority should be given to the demonstration of hydrogen production from renewable energy sources, and the scale of application will be gradually expanded. Promote the research and development of solid oxide electrolysis cells for hydrogen production, photolysis of water for hydrogen production, seawater hydrogen production, and nuclear energy hydrogen production.

The second is to steadily build a storage and transportation system. Emphasize the principle of safety and controllability, support the exploration and practice of various storage and transportation methods, and gradually build a high-density, lightweight, low-cost, and diversified hydrogen energy storage and transportation system. In terms of high-pressure gas storage and transportation, we are committed to improving storage and transportation efficiency, reducing storage and transportation costs, and effectively improving the level of commercialization; in terms of low-temperature liquid hydrogen storage and transportation, we actively promote the development of industrialization; and other storage and transportation methods, and carry out pilot demonstrations such as hydrogen-doped natural gas pipelines and pure hydrogen pipelines.

The third is to make overall planning for the hydrogen refueling network. Emphasize the principle of demand orientation, coordinate the layout and construction of hydrogen refueling stations, and promote the construction of hydrogen refueling network in an orderly manner. On the premise of ensuring safety, the land resources shall be used sparingly and intensively, supporting the use of existing gas station facilities in accordance with laws and regulations to renovate and expand gas stations, and exploring hydrogen refueling stations that integrate hydrogen production, hydrogen storage and hydrogen refueling stations in the station, etc. new mode.