Shanghai Electric announced a significant step in lowering overall green H2 costs.
The Chinese multinational power generation and electrical equipment manufacturing company based in Shanghai, has announced a new solution that makes industrial applications of green hydrogen more viable. Shanghai Electric’s latest solution is its Z-series alkaline electrolyzer technology. This innovative tech is an energy-saving breakthrough that will make it possible for the renewable power sector to produce green hydrogen more economically and sustainably.
Expanding future clean energy applications.
The purpose of the technology is to drive the industry toward decarbonization. By making industry applications of green H2 more feasible, the solution speeds up the use of hydrogen fuel in various sectors including transportation, chemical, green energy storage, and metallurgy.
Of course, a big part of making green hydrogen feasible is lowering its cost. At present, it is far more expensive to produce hydrogen from renewables than fossil fuels (grey hydrogen). According to Wu Liang, Chief Engineer of Shanghai Bright-H Technology Co., Ltd., the goal is to streamline the full technology chain, as producing hydrogen involves “multiple segments and a long industrial chain.” Streamlining the entire chain is what will drive “industry-wide cost reductions.”
Bright-H Technology is a Shanghai Electric subsidiary. The company focuses on the technological challenges and “pain points” the industry faces to fully address the vital links in the hydrogen power development chain.
Shanghai Electric has been advancing green hydrogen production tech for years.
Since 2015, the company has been both advancing the production of hydrogen and investigating its commercial application with other power sources. The company is concentrating on hydrogen energy as part of its technological drive to overcome the limits of clean energy innovation.
To date, the company has made significant strides in green hydrogen production tech. In June 2023 it independently manufactured and released a 2000 Nm³/h alkaline electrolyzer (the largest single H2 production unit of its kind in China at the time). Later, in October of that same year, Shanghai Electric launched a MW-level PEM electrolyzer with a 200 Nm³/h capacity. This electrolyzer was a leader in China in terms of overall performance. Moreover, its compact, flexible and lightweight design make it optimal for hydrogen refueling stations.
Additionally, the company has developed high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks as well as tested a hydrogen-blended gas turbine.
Conclusion
Green hydrogen is currently the cleanest form of hydrogen. Many believe it to be an integral part of decarbonizing the planet and achieving energy sustainability and security. However, at present, the overall economic feasibility of its production, use, storage, transportation, and refueling is limited and this is mostly due to costs.
If Shanghai Electric’s tech can help to lower overall costs, it would be a boon for the industry.