Current Status and Development Trends of the Hydrogen Electrolyzer Industry [New Energy Summit]

At the 2025 (10th) New Energy Industry Expo - Hydrogen Energy Industry Development Forum hosted by SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. (SMM), Shi Yong, Chief Engineer of Jiangsu Trina Yuan Hydrogen Technology Co., Ltd., analyzed the topic of "Current Status and Development Trends of the Hydrogen Production Electrolyzer Industry." Development Status Strategic Position of Hydrogen Energy Strategic Positioning: 1. Hydrogen energy is an important component of the future national energy system. 2. Hydrogen energy is a key carrier for achieving green and low-carbon transformation in end-user energy consumption. 3. The hydrogen energy industry is a strategic emerging industry and a key direction for future industrial development. Water Electrolysis for Hydrogen Production Market Analysis According to a report by Nexbind Insight Market Research, the market capacity of hydrogen production electrolyzers is expected to exceed $10 billion by 2030, with a growth rate of over 25.8% from 2024 to 2030. Solid Oxide Water Electrolysis for Hydrogen Production High-Temperature Solid Oxide Water Electrolysis for Hydrogen Production (SOEC) Principle: SOEC can theoretically be regarded as the reverse operation of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC). Its working principle involves using the ionic conductivity of solid oxide electrolytes at high temperatures (600-1000°C) to electrolyze water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. Application Scenarios: Nuclear power, hydrogen metallurgy, and other scenarios that generate significant industrial waste heat, reducing carbon emissions. Development Status: Currently in the stage of limited commercial trial operation. Advantages of SOEC Development Status 1. High efficiency, low energy consumption: High-temperature electrolysis efficiency increases by 20-50%, saving 20-30% of electricity. 2. Low cost: Raw materials are mostly ceramic powders, without precious metals. Combined with external waste heat, electricity savings can reach up to ~50%. 3. Reversibility: SOEC can flexibly switch between electrolyzer and SOFC modes, forming an "electricity-hydrogen-electricity" cycle. 4. Green and low-carbon: Driven by renewable energy, integrated with chemical synthesis heat, enabling the recycling of captured carbon dioxide and water into synthetic natural gas, gasoline, methanol, or ammonia. SOEC Development Status Product Disadvantages: 1. High material requirements, difficulty in producing large-sized single electrodes. 2. Complex startup and operation. 3. Difficult sealing technology. 4. Limited application scenarios and scale effects. 5. Low technical maturity, currently in the laboratory and commercial conversion stage. Development Directions: 1. Material durability and system stability in high-temperature environments. 2. Scale production and quality control of single cells and stacks. 3. Improvement of stack stability and lifespan. 4. Enhanced coupling control with renewable energy. Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis for Hydrogen Production Principle: PEM electrolyzers use a porous solid polymer as the electrolyte and a separator between the anode and cathode. At the anode, water molecules undergo oxidation to generate oxygen; at the cathode, hydrogen ions pass through the proton exchange membrane under an electric field and combine with electrons to produce hydrogen. Advantages of Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzers (PEM): 1. Fast response, wide load operation: Can adapt to rapidly changing energy inputs, especially fluctuating wind and solar green electricity. 2. Quick start-stop: The system can start and stop quickly, suitable for applications like hydrogen refueling stations. 3. Compact structure: Single-sided pressure, compact structure, small footprint. 4. Green and clean: Driven by renewable energy, electrolyzes pure water, pollution-free, high-purity hydrogen. Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzers (PEM) Development Status Product Disadvantages: 1. Small hydrogen production per cell. 2. Insufficient performance (compared domestically and internationally): Key components, current density, unit DC energy consumption, precious metal loading, etc. 3. High cost: Complex preparation processes for proton exchange membranes, precious metal catalysts, and membrane electrodes. 4. Durability needs improvement: Proton exchange membranes are prone to mechanical stress, chemical corrosion, and aging; precious metal catalysts are prone to agglomeration and poisoning. Development Directions: 1. Improve performance and stability: Optimize proton exchange membranes (proton transport capability, stability), electrolyzer structure. 2. Reduce costs: Localize proton membrane alternatives, reduce precious metal catalyst usage; improve membrane electrode preparation processes. 3. High working pressure: Further enhance single-sided pressure capability, improve material uniformity, reduce subsequent equipment costs. Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis for Hydrogen Production Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis for Hydrogen Production (AEM) Principle: AEM hydrogen production uses pure water or low-concentration alkali as the electrolyte. Water permeates from the anode through the AEM membrane to the cathode, where hydrogen evolution occurs, producing OH- and hydrogen. OH- conducts through the AEM membrane to the anode, where oxygen evolution occurs. Anion Exchange Membrane Electrolyzers (AEM) Development Status Product Advantages: Quick start-stop: AEM membranes have good ion conductivity, allowing quick start-stop of the electrolyzer. Hydrogen evolution side applies ~3MPa pressure, eliminating the need for oxygen removal from hydrogen. Fast dynamic response, flexible adaptation to renewable energy. Low cost: Can use non-precious metal catalyst materials. Product Disadvantages: 1. AEM membranes: Complex material synthesis, limited scale effects, high cost, short lifespan. 2. AEM membranes have significant swelling, difficulty in large-sized single-cell preparation. 3. Cathode catalysts are still mainly Pt/C, with lower current density compared to PEM. 4. Immature technology, in the early stages of commercialization. Development Directions: 1. Membrane material improvement: Develop AEMs with high conductivity, ion selectivity, and long-term alkaline stability. 2. Electrode optimization: Develop high-performance non-precious metal catalysts. 3. Further increase current density. Alkaline Water Electrolysis for Hydrogen Production Alkaline Water Electrolysis for Hydrogen Production (ALK) Principle: Alkaline water electrolysis uses an alkaline solution as the electrolyte. Under direct current, the cathode undergoes reduction, gaining electrons to produce hydrogen and hydroxide ions; the anode undergoes oxidation, with hydroxide ions losing electrons to produce oxygen and water. Alkaline Electrolyzers (ALK) Development Status Current alkaline water electrolysis systems mainly include electrolyzers, gas-liquid separation devices, and purification devices. Product Advantages: Low cost: Electrode materials are relatively low-cost, using non-precious metal catalysts. Electrolysis efficiency: Under full load conditions, Trina Yuan Hydrogen's second-generation electrolyzer can achieve around 85% efficiency. Wide load operation: Can operate stably over a wide current density range (25%-130%), with low requirements for input power quality, compatible with various energy supplies. Scalability: Suitable for large-scale green hydrogen production projects. Alkaline Electrolyzers (ALK) Development Status Issues to be addressed: Electrolysis efficiency; narrow low-power range; slow response speed; low precision in flow field design; frequent start-stop leading to poor material stability. Development Directions: 1. Technology R&D and innovation: Electrode, diaphragm, electrolyzer structure design, material corrosion resistance research, system research and simulation. 2. Standardized production: Establish standardized production systems, select high-quality parts. 3. Energy management: Improve energy utilization efficiency, build an integrated "wind-solar-hydrogen-storage" energy system. 4. Equipment maintenance and management: Establish a full life cycle concept, intelligent operation. Electrolyzer Comparative Analysis Large-Scale Single-Cell Electrolyzers The "Square" vs. "Round" Debate Summary and Comparison of Four Water Electrolysis Technologies Click to view the special report on the 2025 (10th) New Energy Industry Expo.