[Fuel Cell Weekly] Hydrogen Energy Voices Heard at the National Two Sessions! The World's Largest Hydrogen ESS Project Faces New Changes

【Suggestions】NPC Deputy Zhong Baoshen: Accelerate the Development of Green Hydrogen and Green Methanol

During this year's Two Sessions, Zhong Baoshen, NPC deputy and chairman of LONGi Green Energy, called for further strengthening the construction of independent innovation capabilities and the development of original technologies in the PV industry, accelerating the development of green hydrogen and green methanol, vigorously promoting building-integrated PV, improving PV standards for rural buildings, and advancing high-quality rural new energy development. (Source: Battery 100 Forum - Battery Network)

【Suggestions】CPPCC Member Song Hailiang: Promote Coordinated Development of Hydrogen Production in Areas Rich in Wind and Solar Resources

During this year's Two Sessions, Song Hailiang, CPPCC member and chairman of China Energy Engineering Group Co., Ltd. (referred to as "China Energy Engineering"), suggested promoting the coordinated development of new energy power generation, heating, and hydrogen (ammonia, methanol, aviation fuel) production in areas rich in wind and solar resources. He proposed advancing the systematic coupling and utilization of electricity, heat, and hydrogen, and quickly establishing effective policies, mechanisms, and pathways for the entire industry chain of green hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, and oil, focusing on "production-storage-transportation-application." He also emphasized the development of various forms of integrated energy storage to achieve systematic, efficient, and intelligent green energy supply. On the consumption side, he advocated for promoting energy cascading and coupling utilization in key energy-intensive industries and implementing green energy substitution (including green electricity and green hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, and oil) and green raw material substitution initiatives. (Source: Battery 100 Forum - Battery Network)

【Suggestions】NPC Deputy Cao Tianlan: Promote the Construction of the "Chengdu-Chongqing Hydrogen Corridor"

"Under the guidance of national strategic planning, Sichuan and Chongqing have laid out 18 key industry chains in the advanced manufacturing sector, with the new energy industry chain already taking shape." During this year's Two Sessions, Cao Tianlan, NPC deputy and deputy chief engineer of the Digital Intelligence Department at Dongfang Electric Corporation Dongfang Turbine Co., Ltd., stated that Dongfang Electric Corporation has, in recent years, strengthened university-enterprise collaboration through measures such as signing a strategic cooperation agreement with Chongqing University, establishing a joint research institute for clean energy power equipment, and setting up a joint internship and practice base with the School of Energy and Power Engineering at Chongqing University, thereby promoting the rapid development of the energy equipment manufacturing industry in the Sichuan and Chongqing region.

To advance the construction of the "Chengdu-Chongqing Hydrogen Corridor," Dongfang Electric Corporation, as a key enterprise in the hydrogen energy sector, has conducted pioneering research across the entire industry chain of hydrogen energy, including megawatt-level PV power direct-connected PEM water electrolysis hydrogen production technology and demonstration applications of hydrogen fuel cell power generation systems. These efforts have further advanced the localisation of hydrogen energy technology. Moving forward, the company plans to focus on hydrogen energy technology innovation, increase investment, and aim to promote over 5,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2027. (Source: Battery 100 Forum - Battery Network)

【Suggestions】NPC Deputy Zhang Qingsheng: Strengthen the Top-Level Design for China's Hydrogen Energy Industry Chain Development

During this year's Two Sessions, Zhang Qingsheng, NPC deputy and executive director and party secretary of Sinopec Zhongyuan Oilfield, stated, "Currently, China's green hydrogen industry is in its introductory phase with significant potential, but large-scale commercialization is constrained by economic factors." He suggested strengthening the top-level design for the development of China's hydrogen energy industry chain, supporting the coordinated development of the green hydrogen industry chain in areas such as pricing mechanisms, emission reduction mechanisms, resource allocation, and power grid policies.

Additionally, Zhang Qingsheng proposed enhancing policy subsidies for green hydrogen production projects. He recommended introducing preferential electricity policies for integrated green electricity and green hydrogen projects and, referencing wind and PV subsidy policies, increasing subsidy support on the supply side of green hydrogen. For low-energy-consumption green hydrogen projects using advanced technologies, he suggested providing subsidies based on actual green hydrogen sales volumes.

Furthermore, he advocated for accelerating research and deployment of hydrogen pipeline technology. He called for improving China's green hydrogen pipeline network planning, introducing supportive policies, leveraging the industry advantages of large central state-owned enterprises like Sinopec, and advancing long-distance pipeline construction to overcome barriers to large-scale, long-distance transportation, thereby achieving low-cost, large-scale hydrogen utilization and industrialisation. (Source: Battery 100 Forum - Battery Network)

【Suggestions】NPC Deputy Zhang Tianneng: Propose Optimizing Hydrogen Energy Industry Policies and Introducing Different Standards and Regulations

During this year's Two Sessions, Zhang Tianneng, NPC deputy, party secretary and chairman of Tianneng Holding Group, and party secretary of Xinchuan Village, Meishan Town, Changxing County, suggested optimizing hydrogen energy industry policies by introducing different standards and regulations for solid-state hydrogen storage, high-pressure gaseous hydrogen storage, liquid hydrogen, and organic liquid hydrogen storage based on their technical characteristics to promote safe and controllable industry development.

Zhang Tianneng stated that hydrogen energy, as a strategic emerging industry, represents new quality productive forces. However, the industry is still in its early stages of development, facing common development issues as well as specific industry attribute challenges. For example, the commercial model of fuel cells is constrained by purchase, usage, and after-sales costs, preventing marketization. In recent years, homogeneous investment in hydrogen energy and fuel cells has emerged, leading to dispersed resource elements, low capacity utilisation rates, wasted funds, and talent diversion, without forming effective accumulation.

He suggested strengthening support for key materials to enhance the level of localisation, ensuring the autonomy and controllability of the industry chain. He also recommended increasing support for key components (membrane electrodes, bipolar plates) to improve cost-reduction capabilities under enhanced performance levels, continuously advancing the reliability and lifespan of key components, and reducing the full life cycle cost of products. Additionally, he proposed establishing reasonable and scientific project implementation goals and economic benefit demonstration evaluation models, conducting demonstrations in resource-endowed regions, and providing reasonable subsidy proportions to achieve hydrogen energy demonstrations with distinctive application scenarios. (Source: Battery 100 Forum - Battery Network)

【Suggestions】CPPCC Member Yao Jinlong: Form a "Wind-Solar-Hydrogen-Storage" Consortium and Build Zero-Carbon Industrial Clusters

At the intersection of the conclusion of the "14th Five-Year Plan" and the launch of the "15th Five-Year Plan," the energy industry should forge development through technological self-reliance and self-strengthening, leading transformation with new quality productive forces. During this year's Two Sessions, Yao Jinlong, CPPCC member and chairman of Meijin Energy, proposed breakthroughs in three areas: first, building a full-chain innovation system. He suggested focusing on hydrogen energy and new-type ESS, tackling key technologies, and collaborating with research institutes to establish a full-chain innovation system from "basic research-pilot testing-industrialisation." Second, cultivating new momentum through digital-intelligence integration. He advocated for advancing the construction of the energy industrial internet, creating a digital twin system covering exploration, development, transmission, distribution, and end-user services. He also emphasized applying AI large models in scenarios such as smart grids and carbon footprint management to achieve full-element digital reconstruction and energy efficiency improvement in "generation-grid-load-storage." Third, creating a new ecosystem for coordinated development. He proposed forming a "wind-solar-hydrogen-storage" consortium, exploring cross-industry integration development models of "green electricity + green hydrogen + green chemicals," and building zero-carbon industrial clusters. (Source: Battery 100 Forum - Battery Network)

【Suggestions】NPC Deputy Xue Jiping: Propose Prompt Introduction of Transition Policies and Appropriate Subsidies for Hydrogen Production at the Source

During this year's Two Sessions, Xue Jiping, NPC deputy and chairman of Zhongtian Technology Group Co., Ltd., presented a proposal to promote the sustainable development of the hydrogen energy industry.

First, he suggested promptly introducing transition policies. With the demonstration city clusters for fuel cell vehicles set to expire by the end of 2025 and hydrogen energy still in its early stages of development, he recommended that relevant departments promptly formulate and introduce transition policies to ensure the stable and sustainable development of the industry. For example, existing "reward instead of subsidy" policies could be extended or optimized, adjusting reward standards and conditions based on the actual development of the industry to encourage more cities and enterprises to participate in the demonstration applications of fuel cell vehicles, further accelerating the production of fuel cell vehicles and the construction of hydrogen refueling infrastructure.

Second, he proposed providing appropriate subsidies for hydrogen production at the source. The high cost of green hydrogen is mainly influenced by electricity prices and production equipment. With industry competition and technological advancements, the costs of key equipment such as electrolyzers and storage and transportation facilities are decreasing annually, making the replacement of traditional energy with green hydrogen possible in the future. At this stage, the government could introduce subsidy policies focusing on the hydrogen production end, directly subsidizing green hydrogen producers to reduce production costs. For instance, financial subsidies could be provided based on production volumes to ensure the market promotion of green hydrogen in transportation, electricity, and industrial sectors.

Third, he emphasized strengthening support for technology R&D. Although domestic hydrogen energy technology has advanced rapidly in recent years, the proportion of R&D investment remains lower than international levels. For example, there are gaps in the lifespan and power density of fuel cells, the localisation of carbon fiber for hydrogen storage tanks, and liquid hydrogen equipment technology compared to advanced foreign technologies. Therefore, he called for increased government investment in hydrogen energy technology. Through policy support, he suggested establishing platforms for industry-academia-research collaboration, encouraging enterprises and research institutions to conduct joint research, innovating organizational models, and promoting technical exchanges and cooperation between universities, research institutions, and enterprises to accelerate breakthroughs and applications of critical technologies and equipment in the hydrogen energy field. (Source: Battery 100 Forum - Battery Network)

【Capital】Xiehydrogen New Energy Completes First Tranche of Series A Financing, Secures Largest Hydrogen Drone Order in History

On March 5, Xiehydrogen New Energy announced that Xiehydrogen (Shanghai) New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. recently completed the first tranche of its Series A financing, amounting to tens of millions of yuan. The investor for this tranche was Silicon Harbor Capital, and the funds will primarily be used for the R&D, manufacturing, application, and service outlet construction of hydrogen drones.

Recently, Xiehydrogen New Energy has seen a surge in orders, signing the largest hydrogen drone order in history worth 600 million yuan. Its long-range drones successfully completed their first postal delivery in the extreme cold of -35°C in the Greater Khingan Mountains. The company also signed a cooperation order for 50,000 hydrogen-electric shared two-wheelers. The commercial application of air-cooled hydrogen fuel cells is advancing rapidly, laying a solid foundation for achieving its annual performance targets.

According to reports, Xiehydrogen New Energy has the world's largest production capacity for air-cooled hydrogen fuel cells, with an annual capacity exceeding 100,000 units. It is the only company globally with full-chain production service capabilities for air-cooled hydrogen fuel cells, covering carbon paper, membrane electrodes, stacks, electronic controls, valves, hydrogen production, and hydrogen storage. It also has the largest domestic R&D, design, and manufacturing capacity for hydrogen drones. The company's business segments include hydrogen fuel cells, hydrogen industrial drones, and hydrogen production and storage. (Source: Battery 100 Forum - Battery Network)

【Policy】Financial Regulatory Authority: Improve NEV Financial Services and Advance Hydrogen Energy Development in an Orderly Manner

On February 27, the General Office of the National Financial Regulatory Administration and the General Office of the People's Bank of China jointly issued the "Implementation Plan for High-Quality Development of Green Finance in the Banking and Insurance Industries" (hereinafter referred to as the "Plan"). The "Plan" specifies: supporting the low-carbon transition of the energy system, exploring and improving financial services for the entire NEV industry chain, and increasing financial support for the charging infrastructure sector. It also calls for exploring financial services for biomass energy, geothermal energy, and ocean energy, and advancing the development of hydrogen energy, nuclear power, and other energy sources in an orderly manner. (Source: Battery 100 Forum - Battery Network)

【Policy】Jilin: Introduce 100 Key Industry Projects Including Hydrogen Energy

Recently, the General Office of the Jilin Provincial People's Government issued the "Several Measures to Further Promote High-Level Open Development."It was proposed to establish cooperation and docking mechanisms in key regions such as Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, the Yangtze River Economic Belt, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the Yangtze River Delta. Over 100 small-scale and precise docking activities are expected to be organized annually, introducing 100 key industrial projects in areas such as automobiles, carbon fiber, hydrogen energy, ginseng, and low-altitude economy. (Source: Battery 100 Forum - Battery Network)

【Policy】Zhengzhou, Henan: Focus on Hydrogen Fuel Cell Sector to Certify a Batch of Pilot Platforms

Recently, the Zhengzhou Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology issued a notice on the "Zhengzhou Manufacturing Pilot Platform Construction Plan" and the "Zhengzhou Manufacturing Pilot Platform Management Measures (Trial)."

The notice stated: Focus on certifying a batch of pilot platforms in fields such as new materials, intelligent terminals, automobile manufacturing, equipment manufacturing, aluminum processing products, modern food, biomedicine, clothing and home furnishing, intelligent sensors, energy conservation and environmental protection, and hydrogen fuel cells in the city. These platforms are expected to be mature, meet industrial needs, play a demonstrative and leading role, and promote the transformation of scientific and technological achievements. (Source: Battery 100 Forum - Battery Network)

【IPO】Pursuing the First Hydrogen-Powered Heavy Truck Stock in China? Proton Motor Reportedly Plans Hong Kong IPO

According to multiple media reports, Proton Motor plans to go public in Hong Kong this year, aiming to raise $200 million (approximately 1.56 billion Hong Kong dollars). Insiders revealed that Proton Motor is in discussions with potential advisors to assist in preparing for the potential stock issuance transaction. They added that considerations are still ongoing, and the IPO may ultimately not proceed.

Information shows that Proton Motor was established in April 2022, focusing on the R&D and production of electric trucks powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Its business covers new energy, intelligent connectivity, new material technologies, and the manufacturing and sales of components. (Source: Battery 100 Forum - Battery Network)

【Focus】Postponed and Then Suspended! The World's Largest Hydrogen Energy Storage Project Faces Changes

Recently, a suspension announcement was issued for the Fengzhen City Wind-Solar Hydrogen Production Integrated Hydrogen Energy Storage Peak Shaving Power Station [EPC General Contracting] project in Ulanqab City, Inner Mongolia. The announcement stated that due to adjustments in industrial policies, the project could not proceed with the bidding process as originally planned, and the tender has now been suspended.

It is understood that the first EPC tender announcement for this project was issued on January 22, 2025. This project is the world's largest hydrogen energy storage project, with an investment of 8.5 billion yuan. The bid inviter is Generation-Grid-Load-Storage New Energy Technology (Fengzhen City) Co., Ltd. The new energy construction includes 112 wind turbines with a single-unit capacity of 6.25 MW, totaling 700 MW; the PV power station has a total installed capacity of 300 MWp and an AC-side capacity of 240 MW. The wind farm's average annual grid-connected power generation is expected to be approximately 2,240,000 MWh, while the PV power station's average annual grid-connected power generation is expected to be approximately 561,000 MWh. The power grid-side battery energy storage module has a total storage capacity of 260 MW/1,040 MWh, using advanced power battery technology with an energy storage duration of 4 hours. The hydrogen energy storage system plans to build a 540 MW electrolyzer with a hydrogen production capacity of 108,000 Nm³/h and a daily hydrogen production of 864,000 Nm³. Hydrogen storage is designed for 12 hours, with a capacity of 1.4 million Nm³. The hydrogen production station and energy storage station are co-located.

On February 26, a postponement announcement was issued for the project, stating that due to changes in the power station's site selection, the bidding process could not proceed as originally planned. On March 3, the Fengzhen City Wind-Solar Hydrogen Production Integrated Hydrogen Energy Storage Peak Shaving Power Station project was suspended. (Source: Battery 100 Forum - Battery Network)

【Focus】Hydrogen Energy Continues to Go Global! Nigeria and China Sign €7.6 Billion Green Methanol Project

According to reports from National Daily, Nigeria and China signed a €7.6 billion green hydrogen agreement. After the project is operational, it is expected to produce 1.2 million mt of green hydrogen derivatives annually, which will be converted into green methanol for export. This marks a significant step for Nigeria in transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy, gradually achieving energy transformation in line with global best practices. (Source: Battery 100 Forum - Battery Network)

【Company】LONGi Hydrogen Wins Key Equipment Procurement Project in Shaanxi Hydrogen Energy

On February 24, the key equipment procurement project for water electrolysis hydrogen production technology demonstration by Shaanxi Hydrogen Energy Industry Development Co., Ltd. was officially announced. LONGi Hydrogen won Section 1, which includes one 1,000 Nm³/h alkaline electrolyzer and a gas-liquid processing system. LONGi Hydrogen is a subsidiary controlled by LONGi Green Energy. (Source: Hairong Network)

【Think Tank Insights】 National Energy Administration: Steadily Develop Renewable Energy-Based Hydrogen Production

On February 27, the National Energy Administration issued a notice on the "2025 Energy Work Guidance." The notice emphasized the steady development of renewable energy-based hydrogen production and sustainable fuel industries, the gradual promotion of pilot applications for fuel cell vehicles, the orderly advancement of the national hydrogen energy information platform, and the prudent exploration of pipeline hydrogen transportation pilot projects. It also encouraged local governments to establish and improve hydrogen energy management mechanisms.