The "Qingyong" Megawatt-scale PEM Electrolyzer of SPIC Hydrogen Energy Tech and Changchun Green Drive Is Selected as the First Unit (Set) of Major Technical Equipment by the National Energy Administration

Recently, the National Energy Administration announced the list of the third batch of the first unit (set) of major technical equipment projects in the energy sector for 2023 (National Energy Administration Announcement No. 6 in 2023). The "megawatt-scale electrolyzers for hydrogen production by water electrolysis using independent high-performance proton-conductive membrane", jointly developed by SPIC Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd. ("SPIC Hydrogen Energy Tech") and its subsidiaries Changchun Green Drive Hydrogen Technology Co., Ltd. (Changchun Green Drive) and Wuhan Green Drive Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (Wuhan Green Drive), is among the selected projects.

The application and evaluation of the third batch of the first unit (set) of major technical equipment in the energy sector aim to continue promoting the demonstration application of the first unit (set) of major technical equipment in the energy sector, accelerate innovation in major energy-related technical equipment and effectively ensure the security of the industrial chain and supply chain of the key technical equipment. Changchun Green Drive, as the R&D and promotion platform for advanced key technical equipment for hydrogen production of SPIC Hydrogen Energy Tech, has independently developed the "Qingyong" PEM electrolyzers for hydrogen production by water electrolysis with capacities of 50Nm3/h, 200Nm3/h, and 250Nm3/h. Through frequent iteration and validation, the "Qingyong" PEM electrolyzers have become mature gradually in technology and more stable in performance, with cost reductions.

The project of the "PEM electrolyzers for hydrogen production by water electrolysis with a capacity of 250Nm3/h" has been subject to third-party assessment, confirming that the overall technical level of the equipment has reached internationally advanced standards. In the category of single-stack megawatt-scale electrolyzers, the indicators for DC power consumption and hydrogen production rate have reached international leading levels. The electrolyzers with a single-cell capacity of 400Nm3/h (2MW in a single cell) successfully commenced hydrogen production on October 24, marking a new milestone in China's R&D capabilities of large-scale PEM hydrogen production equipment. Series electrolyzers with the same structure have accumulated over 5,000 hours of operation under various conditions, laying a solid foundation for enhancing the reliability and upsizing of electrolyzers.

Simultaneously, addressing the issue of high costs associated with PEM electrolyzers, SPIC Hydrogen Energy Tech has effectively reduced the costs of the "Qingyong" series hydrogen production equipment by water electrolysis based on independent R&D achievements in critical material components, electrolyzers, electrolysis systems, and other aspects, as well as through scale production and coordinated development of the upstream and downstream industrial chains. Changchun Green Drive successfully signed a contract for the Da'an integration project of wind and luminous energy to produce green hydrogen and synthetic ammonia, achieving a breakthrough in the domestic PEM hydrogen production equipment scale (50 MW) and continuing to lead the low-cost development of PEM equipment for hydrogen production by water electrolysis.

In the future, Changchun Green Drive will accelerate the improvement of independent technologies and further strengthen the performance improvement and cost reductions of key material components, electrolyzers, and electrolysis systems for PEM hydrogen production by water electrolysis, as well as the promotion of the commercial application of PEM hydrogen production equipment, and support the independent and high-end development of China's green hydrogen equipment industry, thereby making greater contributions to establishing a green hydrogen industrial chain, promoting the green transformation and industrial upgrading of China's energy, and achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals.