Shanghai Electric Advances Green Hydrogen Technology

Shanghai Electric has made a major advancement in green hydrogen technology with its new Z-series alkaline electrolyzer. This electrolyzer is a key part of the company's plan to reduce carbon emissions in industries like chemicals, transportation, steelmaking, and energy storage. Wu Liang, Chief Engineer at Shanghai Bright-H Technology (a subsidiary of Shanghai Electric), emphasized their goal to make hydrogen production more efficient and cost-effective, though green hydrogen's economic viability remains a challenge.

Shanghai Electric also introduced a megawatt-scale PEM electrolyzer with a capacity of 200 Nm³/h in October 2023. This technology is compact, lightweight, and flexible, making it ideal for hydrogen refueling stations. Comparing this technology to global standards is important to gauge its competitiveness.

The company’s integrated system for hydrogen production, storage, and utilization aims to streamline the hydrogen energy development chain. Despite advances in high-pressure hydrogen storage and membrane compressors for refueling, successful integration into existing infrastructure remains complex. In June 2023, Shanghai Electric launched an alkaline electrolyzer with a capacity of 2000 Nm³/h, the largest in China at that time, highlighting their leadership in hydrogen production. However, its significance needs to be compared globally.

Shanghai Electric's exploration of hydrogen applications in green chemistry and hydrogen-blended gas turbines shows their commitment to innovation. A notable achievement is testing a hydrogen gas turbine with over 7% hydrogen volume at the Datang Haikou power plant. The Taonan green methanol project aims to produce one million tons of green methanol annually, starting with a 250,000-ton phase supported by 680,000 kW of renewable energy. Success depends on overcoming technological and economic hurdles. Bright-H Technology’s zero-carbon demonstration project combines renewable energy, PEM water electrolysis, hydrogen storage, and fuel cells, representing a breakthrough in hydrogen energy commercialization. Long-term success will require continuous innovation and scalability.