At the Hydrogen Energy Industry Development Forum of the CLNB 2025 (10th) New Energy Industry Chain Expo hosted by SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. (SMM), Shi Yong, Chief Engineer of Jiangsu Trina Green Hydrogen Technology Co., Ltd., conducted an analysis on 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 crucial carrier for achieving green and low-carbon transformation in energy-consuming terminals.
3. The hydrogen energy industry is a key development direction for strategic emerging industries and future industries.
Hydrogen Production via Water Electrolysis
Market Analysis
According to an analysis report by Nexbind Insight Market Research, it is projected that the market capacity for hydrogen production electrolyzers will exceed $10 billion by 2030, with a growth rate exceeding 25.8% from 2024 to 2030.
Hydrogen Production via High-Temperature Solid Oxide Electrolysis (SOEC)
Principle:
SOEC can theoretically be regarded as the reverse operation of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC). It operates at high temperatures (600–1000°C), utilizing the ionic conductivity of solid oxide electrolytes to electrolyze water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.
Application Scenarios: Scenarios generating significant industrial waste heat, such as nuclear power and hydrogen metallurgy, to reduce carbon emissions.
Development Status: Currently in the stage of small-scale commercial trial operation.
Development Status of SOEC - Advantages
1. High Efficiency and Low Energy Consumption
High-temperature electrolysis efficiency increases by 20–50%, with electricity savings of 20–30%.
2. Low Cost
Raw materials are mostly ceramic powders, without precious metals. Combining with external waste heat further reduces electricity consumption by 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 and integrated with chemical synthesis for heat, it enables the recycling of captured carbon dioxide and water into synthetic natural gas, gasoline, methanol, or ammonia.
Development Status of SOEC
Product Disadvantages:
1. High material requirements, making it difficult to manufacture large-size single-piece electrodes.
2. Complex startup and operation processes.
3. Difficult sealing technology.
4. Limited application scenarios and economies of scale.
5. Relatively low technological maturity, currently in the laboratory and commercialization transition phase.
Development Directions:
1. Addressing material durability and system stability issues under high-temperature environments.
2. Scalable production and quality control of single cells and stacks.
3. Enhancing stack stability and lifespan.
4. Strengthening coupling control with renewable energy sources.
Hydrogen Production via Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Water ElectrolysisPrinciple:
PEM electrolyzers use a non-porous solid polymer as the electrolyte and separator between the anode and cathode. At the anode, water molecules undergo an oxidation reaction to produce oxygen; at the cathode, hydrogen ions pass through the proton exchange membrane under the influence of an electric field and combine with electrons to generate hydrogen gas.
Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer (PEM)
Advantages:
1. Rapid response and wide load operation
Can adapt to rapidly changing energy inputs, especially the fluctuating green electricity from wind and solar power.
2. Quick start-up and shutdown
The system can be started up and shut down quickly, suitable for applications such as hydrogen refueling stations.
3. Compact structure
Single-sided pressure, compact structure, and small footprint.
4. Green and clean
Driven by renewable energy, electrolyzes pure water, pollution-free, and produces high-purity hydrogen.
Development Status of Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer (PEM)
Product Disadvantages
1. Low hydrogen production per single electrolyzer.
2. Insufficient performance (compared with domestic and overseas counterparts): key components, current density, unit DC energy consumption, and precious metal loading.
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 damage and aging due to mechanical stress and chemical corrosion, while precious metal catalysts are prone to agglomeration, poisoning, and deactivation.
Development Directions:
1. Enhance performance and stability: optimize proton exchange membranes (proton transport capability, stability) and electrolyzer structure.
2. Reduce costs: substitute proton exchange membranes with domestically produced alternatives, reduce the amount of precious metal catalysts used, and improve the preparation process for membrane electrodes.
3. High operating pressure: further increase single-sided pressure capability, improve material uniformity, and reduce the cost of subsequent equipment.
Hydrogen Production via Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis
Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis (AEM)
Principle:
AEM hydrogen production uses pure water or low-concentration alkaline solution as the electrolyte. Water passes through the AEM membrane from the anode to the cathode, where a hydrogen evolution reaction occurs, producing OH- and hydrogen gas. OH- ions are then conducted through the AEM membrane to the anode, where an oxygen evolution reaction takes place.
Development Status of Anion Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer (AEM)
Product Advantages:
1. Quick start-up and shutdown: AEM membranes have good ionic conductivity, allowing electrolyzers to start up and shut down quickly.
2. A pressure of approximately 3 MPa is applied to the cathode side for hydrogen evolution, eliminating the need for oxygen removal from hydrogen.
3. Rapid dynamic response, flexible adaptation to renewable energy.
4. Low cost: non-precious metal catalyst materials can be used.
Product Disadvantages
1. AEM membrane: complex material synthesis, limited economies of scale, high cost, and short lifespan.
2. Significant swelling of AEM membranes, making it difficult to prepare large-scale single electrolyzers.
3. Cathode catalysts are still mainly Pt/C, with lower current density compared to PEM.
4. Technology is not yet mature, in the early stages of commercialization.
Development Directions
1. Improve membrane materials: develop AEMs with high conductivity, ionic selectivity, and long-term alkaline stability.
2. Optimize electrodes: develop high-performance non-precious metal catalysts.
3. Further increase current density.
Hydrogen Production via Alkaline Water Electrolysis
Alkaline Water Electrolysis (ALK)Principle:
Alkaline water electrolysis for hydrogen production uses an alkaline solution as the electrolyte. Under the action of direct current (DC), a reduction reaction occurs at the cathode, where electrons are gained to produce hydrogen gas and hydroxide ions. An oxidation reaction occurs at the anode, where hydroxide ions lose electrons to generate oxygen gas and water.
Development Status of Alkaline Electrolyzers (ALK)
Currently, alkaline water electrolysis systems for hydrogen production mainly consist of electrolyzers, gas-liquid separation units, and purification units.
Product Advantages
Low Cost: The cost of electrode materials is relatively low, utilizing non-precious metal catalysts.
Electrolysis Efficiency: Under full operating conditions, the electrolysis efficiency of the second-generation TrinaSolar Yuan Hydrogen electrolyzer can reach approximately 85%.
Wide Load Operation: It can operate stably over a wide current density range (25% to 130%), with low requirements for input power quality, and can be compatible with various energy sources.
Scalability: Suitable for large-scale green hydrogen production projects.
Development Status of Alkaline Electrolyzers (ALK)
Issues to be Resolved
Electrolysis efficiency; narrow low-power range; slow response speed; low level of precision in flow field design; poor material stability due to frequent startups and shutdowns.
Development Directions:
1. R&D and Innovation: Electrode, separator, and electrolyzer structural design; research on material corrosion resistance; system research and simulation.
2. Standardized Production: Establish a standardized production system; select high-quality parts.
3. Energy Management: Improve energy utilization efficiency; construct an integrated "wind and solar power-hydrogen storage" energy system.
4. Equipment Maintenance and Management: Establish a life cycle concept; implement intelligent operation.
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