SMM Hydrogen Energy Industry Weekly Review 20250410

I. Policy Review
1. China Approves the Second Batch of Hydrogen Industry Demonstration Zones
The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) officially issued the "Notice on Supporting the High-Quality Development of the Second Batch of Hydrogen Industry Demonstration Zones" on April 5, clearly including six city clusters in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in the new batch of demonstration zones. The focus will be on supporting green hydrogen production, hydrogen storage and transportation, and the large-scale application of fuel cell vehicles, with the maximum subsidy for a single project increased to 500 million yuan.

2. EU Passes the Hydrogen Amendment to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
The European Council passed the revised CBAM bill on April 7, clearly incorporating green hydrogen imports into the carbon emission accounting system. Importers are required to provide full life cycle emission certificates for hydrogen production, promoting the standardization of domestic and international green hydrogen supply chains.

3. US Department of Energy (DOE) Accelerates Clean Hydrogen Deployment
The US Department of Energy (DOE) announced the launch of the "Hydrogen Shot Initiative," allocating $1.2 billion over the next two years to support large-scale green hydrogen production projects in the Midwest and simplifying the application process for green hydrogen tax credits under the IRA Act.

II. Corporate Developments
1. Sinopec Completes the World's Largest Offshore Wind-Powered Hydrogen Production Platform
Sinopec announced on April 8 that its offshore wind-powered hydrogen production demonstration project in Zhanjiang, Guangdong, has officially commenced operation. With an installed capacity of 500 MW and an annual hydrogen production of over 20,000 mt, it marks the first time that offshore wind power and direct seawater electrolysis for hydrogen production have been combined.

2. Toyota and Shell Collaborate to Develop a Liquid Hydrogen Truck Supply Chain
Toyota Motor Corporation and Shell signed an agreement on April 5, planning to jointly build a liquid hydrogen refueling network in Japan and Australia, with the goal of launching the first liquid hydrogen transportation route connecting Sydney and Melbourne by 2026.

3. Plug Power Launches a New Generation of PEM Electrolyzers
US hydrogen company Plug Power released a new generation of PEM electrolyzers on April 9, claiming an energy efficiency improvement to 75% and a 30% cost reduction compared to the previous generation, making it suitable for large-scale green hydrogen projects.

III. Technological Advancements
1. Breakthrough in Commercialization of Solid-State Hydrogen Storage Materials
A Chinese research team, in collaboration with a hydrogen storage company, announced on April 6 that a solid-state hydrogen storage tank based on metal-organic framework (MOF) materials has completed pilot testing, achieving a hydrogen storage density of 80 kg/m³ and safe operation at room temperature and pressure, with mass production planned for 2026.

2. Germany Develops a New-Type Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
The Fraunhofer Institute in Germany announced research results on April 10, showing that the new-type fuel cell has a 40% improvement in startup efficiency at -30℃ and a lifespan extended to 80,000 hours, making it suitable for transportation scenarios in extremely cold regions.

3. AI-Driven Electrolyzer Intelligent Control System Launched
US startup H2Pro introduced an AI algorithm-optimized electrolyzer management system, which reduces energy consumption and extends equipment lifespan by adjusting voltage and pressure parameters in real time, and has been deployed in a green hydrogen project in Texas.

IV. Industry Collaboration
1. Chemical Giant BASF Collaborates with Green Hydrogen Company on Ammonia Synthesis Project
BASF and Danish green hydrogen company Green Hydrogen Denmark reached a cooperation agreement on April 4, planning to use North Sea wind power to produce "green ammonia," with a target annual capacity of 500,000 mt, supplying the European agricultural and industrial markets.

2. China Energy Group Leads the Establishment of a Hydrogen Rail Alliance
China Energy Group, in collaboration with several railway bureaus and locomotive manufacturers, established the "Hydrogen Rail Transit Innovation Alliance" on April 7, planning to complete the commercial trial run of the first hydrogen-powered freight train by the end of 2025.

3. Middle East-Asia Cross-Border Hydrogen Trade Agreement Signed
Saudi Aramco, UAE's ADNOC, and China Energy Engineering Corporation signed a memorandum of understanding on April 9, planning to invest $2 billion to build a hydrogen supply chain between the Middle East and Northeast Asia, including a liquefied hydrogen transport fleet and coastal receiving stations.