[SMM Hydrogen Energy Policy Express] National Energy Administration: Focus on Technological Innovation and International Cooperation to Accelerate Breakthroughs in China's Hydrogen Energy Industry

As the core carrier of the energy transition, the development of the hydrogen energy industry hinges on the in-depth drive of technological innovation and the broad expansion of global cooperation. Recently, the National Energy Administration released the "China Hydrogen Energy Development Report (2025)", highlighting that in 2024, China's hydrogen energy industry made significant progress in technological breakthroughs and international collaboration, entering a critical phase of sustained technological innovation, strengthened pilot demonstrations, and breakthroughs in industrial scale.

I. Technological Innovation: From Breakthroughs in the Entire Value Chain to Building Industrial Competitiveness

(I) Hydrogen Production Technology: From "Grey Hydrogen Dominance" to "Green Hydrogen Breakthrough"

In the field of hydrogen production from renewable energy, China has formed a large-scale cluster advantage. By the end of 2024, the production capacity of hydrogen from renewable energy exceeded 120,000 mt. The commissioning of electrolytic water hydrogen production projects in Kuqa, Xinjiang, and Ningdong, Ningxia, marked the gradual industrial demonstration and verification of alkaline electrolyzer technology. Meanwhile, substantial breakthroughs were achieved in the key technologies of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, and pilot-scale seawater electrolysis hydrogen production units were put into trial operation, providing innovative solutions for the supply of offshore green hydrogen in coastal areas. Relevant technologies are expected to drive down the production costs of green hydrogen continuously, gradually approaching the economic inflection point for competing with grey hydrogen.

(II) Storage and Transportation Technology: Building a Multi-Modal Storage and Transportation System of "Gas-Liquid-Solid"

In the field of high-pressure gaseous hydrogen storage and transportation, 70 MPa Type IV hydrogen storage cylinders have achieved mass production. Hydrogen-blended natural gas pipelines have undergone demonstration operations in Inner Mongolia and Ningxia, verifying the feasibility of retrofitting existing natural gas pipelines for hydrogen blending. In liquid hydrogen storage and transportation, a 5 mt/day hydrogen liquefaction system has been successfully launched, with technical indicators approaching international advanced levels. Solid hydrogen storage and transportation technologies are advancing in parallel, with the hydrogen storage density of magnesium-based hydrogen storage materials continuously improving, and demonstration applications have been carried out in scenarios such as forklifts and drones. These breakthroughs have formed a multi-modal storage and transportation technology system of "gas-liquid-solid", which will effectively reduce hydrogen transportation costs and lay the foundation for optimizing regional hydrogen energy dispatch in the near term and cross-regional resource allocation in the long term.

(III) Application Technology: Diverse Scenarios Spur Business Model Innovation

In the industrial sector, hydrogen-based shaft furnace direct reduced iron (DRI) technology has achieved CO2 emission reductions of over 70% per ton of steel. The Ningdong Green Hydrogen Coupled Coal-to-Synthetic Ammonia Project in Ningxia has achieved 100% green electricity-supplied hydrogen. In the transportation sector, the driving range of fuel cell heavy-duty trucks has exceeded 1,000 kilometers, and a 2,400 kW hydrogen-powered shunting locomotive has completed a 10,000 mt loading test, marking the maturity of technology in the heavy-haul transportation sector. In the energy sector, megawatt-class pure hydrogen gas turbines have completed full-machine tests, and the efficiency of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) cogeneration systems continues to improve, providing efficient solutions for distributed energy and power grid peak shaving. Innovations in related applications have not only expanded the market space for hydrogen energy but also driven its transformation from an industrial raw material to a diversified energy carrier.

(IV) Innovation Ecosystem: Dual-Driven by Platform Empowerment and Patent Layout

At the national level, relying on platforms such as the "Hydrogen Energy Technology" key project and the Innovation Consortium for Green Hydrogen Production, Storage, and Transportation by Enterprises, China has continuously increased investment in scientific research, promoting breakthroughs in key technologies such as high-proportion consumption of renewable energy, off-grid and fluctuating operation of electrolyzers, efficient conversion of green hydrogen, and hydrogen-ammonia combustion. In local practices, innovation carriers in regions such as the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Yangtze River Delta, and Pearl River Delta have accelerated the commercialization of technologies, achieving breakthroughs in patent layouts in areas such as hydrogen production equipment and fuel cells. Standardization efforts have also advanced in tandem, with the release of multiple energy industry standards, gradually establishing an innovation closed-loop of "technology R&D - pilot-scale maturation - standard certification."

II. International Cooperation: From "Import and Absorption" to "Collaborative Expansion"

(I) Project Collaboration: Building a Global Green Hydrogen Supply Chain

Along the "Belt and Road" Initiative, Chinese enterprises have undertaken the engineering design and equipment supply for multiple landmark hydrogen energy projects, continuously expanding the electrolyzer equipment market. In regional cooperation, China and France have planned to jointly construct a demonstration project for a green energy-integrated offshore smart energy island featuring "wind, solar, hydrogen, and storage" in Dongtai, Jiangsu Province. Chinese and German institutions, relying on the "Governmental International S&T Innovation Cooperation" key project under the National Key R&D Program, have explored low-carbon development of green energy and mutual recognition of standards. These projects have not only facilitated the export of technologies and equipment but also promoted the establishment of a global hydrogen energy supply chain.

(II) Technological Synergy: Breaking Through Global Common Technological Bottlenecks

In terms of core technology breakthroughs, China and France have jointly conducted research on the safety technology for transoceanic liquid hydrogen transportation, addressing challenges in process control and risk identification for the maritime transport of liquid hydrogen tank containers. China and Germany have collaborated to develop hydrogen internal combustion engine power generation technology, providing a new path for distributed energy. Relevant enterprises from China, Japan, and South Korea have achieved cooperation in the field of fuel cells, promoting deep integration of the industrial and supply chains. In the formulation of international standards, China has contributed "Chinese solutions" to multiple international standards, including the "Test Methods for Power Performance of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles," driving the shift in technological discourse power from "following" to "keeping pace."

(III) Equipment Trade: Building a Global Manufacturing Hub

With a complete industry chain, China has become the world's largest exporter of electrolyzers, accounting for nearly half of the international market share. In the field of hydrogen refueling station equipment, domestically produced 70MPa hydrogen dispensers have passed relevant EU certifications and entered the market. Hydrogen storage vessels have provided key equipment for hydrogen energy projects in countries such as Australia and Chile. More notably, Chinese enterprises are transitioning from single equipment exports to a general contracting model of "technology + engineering + services," providing full-chain solutions for "production, storage, transportation, and utilization," driving the integrated go-global efforts of domestic equipment, materials, and engineering services, and establishing an international brand of "China's hydrogen energy manufacturing."

III. Addressing Challenges: Strategic Anchors for Future Development

Technological innovation is the core driving force for the development of the hydrogen energy industry, and international cooperation is the inevitable path to expand development space. The hydrogen energy industry is at a historical juncture of "technological breakthroughs" and "global layout." However, on the whole, the global hydrogen energy industry is still immature. China needs to overcome obstacles such as the commercialization of hydrogen energy technological achievements, the synergy of innovation resources, and the coordination of policy and market to support hydrogen energy technological innovation and high-quality industrial development.

First, strengthen "scenario-oriented" technological breakthroughs. Targeting the three main battlefields of industry, transportation, and energy, carry out targeted R&D to continuously reduce application costs. Drive technological innovation through scenario demands and form a virtuous cycle of "R&D - demonstration - iteration."

Second, build a "dual circulation" cooperation pattern. In terms of "bringing in," innovate the international hydrogen energy talent mechanism and introduce top overseas teams. In terms of "going global," rely on the Belt and Road Initiative to establish a hydrogen energy partnership network, export China's technical standards and project management experience, set up overseas R&D centers, and achieve localized technological innovation.

Third, improve the policy empowerment and market synergy mechanisms. Incorporate hydrogen energy into the planning of the "new-type energy system," innovate the priority consumption mechanism for green hydrogen, and promote the realization of green value. Optimize the market access mechanism and promote the improvement of hydrogen energy project management policies in various regions. Through precise policy empowerment, reduce the risks of market entities and accelerate the industrial scaling-up process.

Through technological innovation breakthroughs and international cooperation expansion, China's hydrogen energy industry has entered a critical stage of development. In the future, it is necessary to drive technology with scenarios and empower the market with policies to promote hydrogen energy as the core pillar of energy transformation and contribute China's wisdom and solutions to the global energy transformation.