[SMM Weekly Review of Hydrogen Energy Industry] 20250731

I. Policy Review: Hydrogen Energy Policy Updates

(I) Domestic Policies

National Energy Administration:Issued the "Notice on Publicly Soliciting Opinions on the Proposed Industry Standard Formulation and Revision Plan and Foreign Language Version Translation Plan for the Energy Sector in 2025." The document indicates that there are 9 standard projects related to the hydrogen energy sector in the "Proposed Industry Standard Formulation Plan for the Energy Sector in 2025," categorized into five types: engineering construction, foundation, management, methods, and safety. The standard projects for hydrogen energy are as follows: 1. Guidelines for the Planning and Design of Green Hydrogen, Ammonia, and Methanol Production Systems from Wind, Solar, and Biomass; 2. Technical Specifications for Sealing of Hydrogen Energy Pressure Equipment; 3. Regulations and Cost Standards for the Preparation of Engineering Design Estimates for Hydrogen Production from Renewable Energy Power; 4. Procedures for Post-Evaluation of Hydrogen Production Engineering from Renewable Energy Power; 5. Procedures for the Preparation of Completion Drawings for Hydrogen Production Engineering from Renewable Energy Power; 6. Technical Specifications for Carbon Footprint Accounting of Hydrogen Production Engineering from Renewable Energy Power; 7. Performance Testing Methods for Reversible Solid Oxide Cells - Battery-Grade Lithium Hydroxide Conversion Systems; 8. Electrochemical Method for Testing Hydrogen Permeation Resistance of Hydrogen-Resistant Coatings; 9. Safety Specifications for Hydrogen Transmission Pipelines. There is 1 standard project related to the hydrogen energy sector in the "Proposed Industry Standard Revision Plan for the Energy Sector in 2025," which is Part 6 of the Technical Specifications for Power Construction Engineering: Water Treatment and Hydrogen Production (Supply) Equipment and Systems.

Policy Interpretation:

1. Aligning Carbon Footprint Accounting with International Standards: The "Technical Specifications for Carbon Footprint Accounting of Hydrogen Production Engineering from Renewable Energy Power" aligns with ISO 14044 and ISO 14067, setting the threshold for green hydrogen carbon emissions at 4.9 kgCO₂e/kgH₂. This provides a basis for domestic projects to obtain international green hydrogen certification and supports the construction of global green hydrogen trade centers in port cities like Shanghai.

2. Focusing on Renewable Energy Technology Pathways: Among the 9 formulated standards, 6 are directly related to hydrogen production from renewable energy (such as coupling wind, solar, and biomass, and testing battery-grade lithium hydroxide conversion systems), which is highly aligned with the "green hydrogen replacing gray hydrogen" strategy proposed in the "China Hydrogen Energy Development Report (2025)." For example, the standard for performance testing methods of reversible solid oxide cells (RSOCs) will accelerate the commercialization of technological achievements by teams such as those at Xi'an Jiaotong University and promote the improvement of battery-grade lithium hydroxide conversion efficiency to over 90%.

3. Enhancing International Discourse Power: China is leading the revision of ISO/TR 11954:2024 "Test Methods for the Dynamic Performance of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles" and collaborating with IRENA to promote a clean hydrogen certification system. If the standards proposed align with international rules, domestic green hydrogen products will have easier access to markets such as the EU, Japan, and South Korea, seizing the initiative in the global hydrogen energy trade.

(II) Foreign Policies

European Commission:Released a document titled "Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Accounting Methods for Low-Carbon Fuels," which for the first time clearly defines the emission intensity calculation formulas and certification standards for low-carbon fuels (excluding recycled carbon fuels), including low-carbon hydrogen.

EU:Guided by the European Green Deal and the European Climate Law, introduced a series of carbon reduction policies. Among them, the EU Fuel Regulation (FEU) will be formally implemented in 2025 to accelerate the adoption of renewable fuels in the shipping industry, while the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is expected to take effect in 2026, imposing carbon taxes on specific imported goods.

Germany:Adopted the National Hydrogen Strategy, aiming to achieve 5GW of green hydrogen capacity by 2030.

France:Updated its National Hydrogen Strategy. Established a support mechanism totaling 4 billion euros to ensure the competitiveness of the low-carbon hydrogen market over the next 15 years. Key adjustments include increasing national electrolyzer capacity to 4.5GW by 2030 and 8GW by 2035, strengthening technological autonomy across the entire industry chain, developing low-carbon hydrogen transportation networks, and securing fundamental conditions for hydrogen industry growth.

US:President Trump signed the "Big and Beautiful" Act, which includes a two-year extension (until 2028) for the commencement deadline of tax credit projects in the hydrogen industry. Hydrogen projects originally required to start before January 1, 2026, to qualify for the maximum $3/kg tax credit, now have until January 1, 2028.

Policy Analysis:

1. Standard Fragmentation and Cost Challenges:The EU's "carbon extraterritoriality" has sparked controversy: its accounting methods exclude "recycled carbon fuels" (e.g., biomass-derived hydrogen), criticized as technological discrimination. CBAM's indirect emission tracking (e.g., grid carbon intensity for electrolytic hydrogen) downgraded Morocco's PV-based hydrogen projects due to 15% coal power in its grid. More critically, EU carbon price volatility (peaking at €110/mt in 2023) directly impacts hydrogen import costs, forcing countries like Algeria to demand "carbon price-linked" long-term contracts—a new-type trade clause reshaping global energy agreements.

2. Competition and Strategic Positioning:The carbon reduction stimulus policy packages of China and the EU essentially represent industrial reshuffling using standards as weapons. Germany's pipelines, France's electrolyzers, and US subsidies collectively form a "Three Kingdoms" scenario in the hydrogen era. For China, adapting to EU carbon footprint accounting must accelerate, while vigilance is needed against "standard barriers" evolving into "technological lock-in"—when the EU mandates second-generation hydrogen-barrier coatings for projects by 2027, domestic firms' technological iteration speed will determine their standing in this global low-carbon race.

II. Corporate Developments: Surge in Project Signings and Technical Cooperation​​

(I) Project Intelligence​​

Sinopec: The consortium of Spanish engineering company Técnicas Reunidas and Sinopec has secured a Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) contract for a large-scale green hydrogen-to-ammonia project in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia.

China National Chemical Engineering Seventh Construction Co., Ltd.: Long Haiyang, Chairman of China National Chemical Engineering Seventh Construction Co., Ltd., and Giuseppe, Chief Operating Officer of Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, signed a FEED+EPC total contract for the world's largest green ammonia project - a 2.4 million mt/year green ammonia plant in Namibia, Hyphen Hydrogen Energy.

State Grid NARI Technology Co., Ltd.: The Jidian Stock D'an Wind and Solar Power-to-Green Hydrogen and Synthetic Ammonia Integrated Demonstration Project, participated in by State Grid NARI Technology Co., Ltd., has officially commenced operation at the Clean Energy Chemical Industry Park in Da'an City, Jilin Province.

Chuangui Lingang New Energy Co., Ltd. in Guangxi Free Trade Zone:​​​​​​​ The announcement for the termination of the design and equipment procurement for a 15,000Nm³/h methanol-to-hydrogen unit for a 300,000 mt/year biomass liquid fuel project stated that after downloading the tender documents through the tender announcement, due to system issues, the downloaded tender documents could not be opened when imported into the "Guangxi Electronic Tender Document Preparation Tool" during the preparation of the bid documents, showing "the engineering file is corrupted". Therefore, the tender activities for this project were terminated.

Windey Energy Technology Group Co., Ltd.: The first-ranked bidder candidate is Sinopec Nanjing Engineering Co., Ltd., with a bid price of 18.68 million yuan; the second-ranked bidder candidate is Shanghai Electric Group Guokong Global Engineering Co., Ltd., with a bid price of 19.98 million yuan; the third-ranked bidder candidate is CIMC Enric Engineering Technology Co., Ltd., with a bid price of 20.66 million yuan.

Shanxi Construction Investment Installation Group:​​​​​​​ The Shanghai Electric Taonan City Wind Power Coupled with Biomass Green Methanol Integrated Demonstration Project, constructed by Shanxi Construction Investment Installation Group, has officially commenced operation.

Yuchai Group: A water sprinkler equipped with Yuchai's YCK05H hydrogen-fueled engine has officially commenced operation in Cangzhou, Hebei Province. This is the first hydrogen internal combustion engine vehicle put into actual operational scenarios in China.

CIMC Enric: Nantong CIMC Pacific Offshore Engineering Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of CIMC Enric Holdings Co., Ltd., has recently signed a construction contract order with Norwegian company Amon Gas for 2+2 51,000 m³ ammonia dual-fuel medium-sized LPG/liquid ammonia transport ships.

China National Chemical Engineering Donghua Company: The 20MW green hydrogen project in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, designed by China National Chemical Engineering Donghua Company, has successfully produced hydrogen with a purity of 99.99%, marking the commencement of hydrogen production operations for the first green hydrogen project in Central Asia to enter the formal implementation stage.

SINOPEC CNOOC Bunker Supply: SINOPEC CNOOC Bunker Supply (SINOBUNKER) successfully completed the world's first green marine ammonia fuel bunkering operation at the COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry terminal in Dalian, Liaoning.

CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles: China's first hydrogen-powered suburban train, independently developed by CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles, completed its operational test. The train successfully achieved performance verification across the entire system, all scenarios, and multiple levels, marking a new breakthrough in the application of hydrogen energy in the rail transit sector.

Hydrogen Energy Technology: After the completion of the headquarters base for the "Demonstration Project of 1,000 Sets of Hydrogen Energy Storage per Year" in January 2025, Hydrogen Energy Technology achieved the first large-scale and batch delivery of solid-state hydrogen storage cylinders for micro-transportation.

H2 Energy: H2 Energy's "HRS-Venus" product series equipment was successfully delivered to the Sino-European Power Integrated Energy Station.

Guangdong Yuntao Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd.: Guangdong Yuntao Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd. issued a public tender announcement for its hydrogen refueling equipment procurement project in 2025. According to the tender announcement, the procurement includes 2,000kg stationary hydrogen refueling equipment with a maximum price limit of 5.28 million yuan per set; 1,000kg stationary hydrogen refueling equipment with a maximum price limit of 3.5 million yuan per set; and 1,000kg skid-mounted hydrogen refueling equipment with a maximum price limit of 1.28 million yuan per set.

(II) Corporate Updates

Shudao and Toyota: On March 26, 2025, Shudao Equipment held the 42nd meeting of the fourth board of directors, which approved the "Proposal on Joint Investment and Establishment of a Joint Venture with Shudao Group and Toyota Motor Corporation and Related Transactions". The company agreed to jointly establish a joint venture with Shudao Investment Group Co., Ltd. and Toyota Motor Corporation through cash contributions.

KYE Express and Jilin Provincial Logistics Group: KYE Express Group and Jilin Provincial Logistics Group officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Changchun. This cooperation will focus on building the first "hydrogen corridor" logistics channel in north-east China and constructing a multimodal transport system integrating "sea, land, air, and rail".

TOP 1 Oil Co., Ltd. and Hydrogen Power Technology: TOP 1 Oil Co., Ltd. and Hydrogen Power Technology signed a strategic cooperation agreement. The two parties will leverage their respective core strengths to engage in comprehensive and in-depth strategic cooperation in the field of full-vehicle oil and fluid services for hydrogen-powered vehicles, jointly building a green zero-carbon battery-grade lithium hydroxide transportation system.

Guizhou Hydrogen Energy Efficiency Energy Technology Co., Ltd.: Guizhou Sunshine Property Rights Exchange released information related to a 15% stake in Guizhou Hydrogen Energy Efficiency Energy Technology Co., Ltd. The information shows that the project name is a 15% stake in Guizhou Hydrogen Energy Efficiency Energy Technology Co., Ltd., with a base transfer price of 8.0555 million yuan; the transferor is Guiyang Economic Development Zone Industrial Development Investment Holding (Group) Co., Ltd.

Jichong Hydrogen: Held a new product strategy launch event themed "Technology Empowers, Value Innovates" for the MH290 metal plate stack in Zhangjiagang. As detected by a third-party authoritative institution, the MH290 stack set an industry record with a peak power of 410.9kW (0.637V@2.9A/cm²) and a rated power of 391kW (0.65V@2.7A/cm²), providing non-decaying power assurance for 49-ton heavy trucks under extreme conditions such as high altitudes and steep slopes.

III. Technological Advancement: Breakthroughs in Efficiency and Cost

(i) Production, Storage, and Transportation Field

CNPC Baoshishun (Qinhuangdao) Steel Pipe Co., Ltd.: Successfully developed various specifications of pure hydrogen transmission "straight seam submerged arc welded pipes" (D610x12.7/14.3mm, material/X60MH).

SPIC Central Research Institute: The hydrogen storage and transportation team of the Advanced Low-Carbon Institute has developed large-diameter (DN150), high-pressure (10MPa) non-metallic flexible hydrogen transmission pipelines, which have successfully achieved safe and stable operation for 30 days on the test platform.

Offshore Oil Engineering Special Equipment Division: The design results of the "cryogenic liquid hydrogen storage tank" for deep-sea floating platforms, independently developed by the company, have received the Approval in Principle (AIP) certificate from the China Classification Society (CCS), indicating that the safety and reliability of the results fully comply with the requirements of the classification society.

Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences: Achieved a breakthrough in alkaline electrolyzer membrane technology: Developed ultra-thin (20μm) composite separators, increasing the efficiency of the electrolysis system to 85% (LHV) and extending its lifespan beyond 60,000 hours.

(ii) Fuel Cell Innovation

Liaoning General Aviation Research Institute: The team led by Academician Yang Fengtian at the Liaoning General Aviation Research Institute of Shenyang Aerospace University successfully completed the maiden flight of China's first four-seat hybrid electric aircraft RX4M at Faku Caihu Airport in Shenyang, contributing a new "China solution" to the global development of electric aircraft.

Dongfang Hydrogen: Obtained a patent for improving the air humidity system entering the stack in the field of fuel cell technology.

Lanzhou Equipment: The 90MPa ionic liquid hydrogen compressor manufacturing project has achieved phased results and is expected to enter the comprehensive testing phase.

Georgia Power: The second experiment using a hydrogen-natural gas blend fuel for the M501GAC type natural gas turbine, a collaboration with Mitsubishi Power, has been successfully completed under partial and full load conditions.

Sino-European Hydrogen Trade Corridor Launched: Ningbo Port, Rotterdam Port, and Antwerp Port signed an agreement to jointly build liquid hydrogen loading and unloading terminals and a cross-border certification system. The first pilot green hydrogen trade route with an annual capacity of 30,000 mt (to be operational in 2027) was announced.

​​The US Hydrogen Energy Association (DoE) takes the lead in establishing the "Hydrogen Refueling Station Compatibility Alliance"​​: to unify the interface standard for 70MPa hydrogen refueling nozzles, eliminate barriers in hydrogen refueling protocols among automakers such as Toyota, Hyundai, and Nikola, and promote the interconnection of hydrogen refueling networks.