[SMM Hydrogen Energy Policy Update] Henan: Issues Notice on Implementing the "Implementation Plan for Accelerating the Application of Clean and Low-Carbon Hydrogen in the Industrial Sector"

On June 10, the Department of Industry and Information Technology of Henan Province issued a notice on implementing the Implementation Plan for Accelerating the Application of Clean and Low-Carbon Hydrogen in the Industrial Sector.

The document states that by 2027, significant progress will be made in supporting equipment and technology promotion for the application of clean and low-carbon hydrogen in the industrial sector. Clean and low-carbon hydrogen will achieve large-scale application in industries such as metallurgy, ammonia synthesis, methanol synthesis, and refining and petrochemicals, and demonstration applications will be realized in fields including industrial green microgrids, shipping, aviation, and rail transit. A number of commercial application models for hydrogen energy in transportation, power generation, and energy storage will be formed. A group of leading enterprises with strong industrial ecological dominance and industrial clusters, as well as system solution providers with high professional standards and strong service capabilities, will be cultivated, and a relatively complete industry chain and industrial system will be initially established.

Accelerate the substitution and application of clean and low-carbon hydrogen. Develop low-cost, highly reliable, and off-grid-capable "PV + ESS" technologies and products, continuously improving the supply of low-cost green electricity for hydrogen production and utilization. Under the premise of compliance with industrial restructuring, promote the orderly construction of "hydrogen production + hydrogen utilization" integrated projects by industrial enterprises and industrial parks in regions rich in clean energy sources such as wind and PV power. Promote the development of new models for weak grid-connected and off-grid hydrogen production from renewable energy, and explore new approaches such as the coupled utilization of industrial waste heat and high-temperature electrolysis for hydrogen production, as well as offshore wind power-based hydrogen production.

Vigorously develop green methanol production through hydrogen-carbon coupling. Advance the construction of demonstration projects for green methanol, improve carbon conversion rates and methanol selectivity, and strictly prohibit the unauthorized construction of coal-to-methanol projects that do not comply with industrial policies under the guise of green methanol.

Actively promote green ammonia synthesis through hydrogen-nitrogen coupling. Encourage energy enterprises, chemical enterprises, shipping transportation enterprises, and shipbuilding enterprises to jointly advance the construction of demonstration projects for green ammonia synthesis, and promote applications such as large-scale off-grid hydrogen production from wind and solar power, flexible scheduling and control of ammonia synthesis processes, and coordinated control of the entire "electricity-hydrogen-ammonia" system.

Accelerate the application of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Encourage demonstration projects for fuel cell vehicles to utilize high-quality industrial by-product hydrogen and hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources nearby, and promote the construction of integrated hydrogen production and refueling stations based on distributed renewable energy. Continuously advance the "Hydrogen into Every Home" demonstration project, carry out multi-scenario applications of hydrogen energy vehicles, electromechanical equipment, and integrated power supply on highways, in ports, and industrial parks, scientifically evaluate the pilot effects of hydrogen energy applications, and orderly expand the scope of demonstration projects.

Steadily develop hydrogen-powered ships, aviation, and rail transit equipment. Support the development of medium- and high-speed hydrogen fuel cell electric multiple units (EMUs), as well as shunting locomotives and heavy-haul locomotives for stations and yards. Encourage regions with suitable conditions to apply hydrogen energy rail transit equipment in scenarios such as suburban commuting, scenic area tourism, and airport shuttle services, as well as on intercity high-speed railways.

Explore the development of green industrial microgrids integrating hydrogen and electricity. Encourage industrial enterprises, industrial parks, and data centers to collaborate with energy enterprises in exploring green industrial microgrids integrating hydrogen and electricity through market-oriented approaches. Accelerate the development and operation of integrated systems for wind power, PV power generation, hydrogen production from renewable energy, diversified hydrogen storage, fuel cell power generation/cogeneration, and intelligent energy management and control, to achieve optimized and integrated utilization of regional resources.

In addition, provide policy support for capacity extension and replacement for eligible demonstration projects for the industrialisation of low-carbon cutting-edge technologies such as hydrogen-based metallurgy. Encourage local governments to formulate supportive policies for hydrogen production from renewable energy electricity, and encourage hydrogen production projects from renewable energy to participate in the electricity market, reducing hydrogen production costs through measures such as peak shaving and valley filling. Local governments should innovate management models, and integrated hydrogen production and refueling stations are no longer restricted to chemical parks.