Sinopec recently revealed that it will purchase 4 units 2000m3/hr electrolysers for its Solar-Wind Power-Hydrogen Integration Project in Wushen Banner, Inner Mongolia. Once installed, it will become the first application for 2000m3/hr electrolyser in China.
Sinopec’s Solar-Wind Power-Hydrogen Integration Project in Wushen Banner is the largest green hydrogen production facility under construction in China now. The project has two phases, phase 1 will build 10,000 ton per annum green hydrogen capacity and phase 2 will install another 20,000 ton. Phase 1 is due to commissioning by 2023 and construction of phase 2 is about to begin, these 4 units 2000m3/hr electrolysers is planned for phase 2. The green hydrogen will be used to replace the gray hydrogen as feedstock for an olefin plant nearby.
According to research and test by leading electrolyser producers in China, 2000m3/hr electrolysers are more competitive over 1000m3/hr products in term of CAPEX. Some researches concluded that it could reduce CAPEX by 20% and thus decrease LCOH by around 5%.
This could perfectly explain why China’s leading electrolyser manufacturers are racing to debut their 2000m3/hr electrolysers:
On Sep 12th, LONGI released its new G series ALK electrolyser, including 1500 m3/hr, 2000m3/hr and 3000 m3/hr electrolysers;
On Sep 8th, Shuangliang Group, a renowned environmental solution provider headquartered in Jiangsu province, released its 2000m3/hr electrolyser;
On June 27th, Peric Hydrogen completed its first 2000m3/hr electrolyser in Ordos plant. As the green hydrogen production projects are booming in Inner Mongolia, localized manufacturing could substantially reduce transportation cost and service cost.
On June 11th, Shanghai Bright-H Hydrogen, a wholly owned subsidiary of Shanghai Electric Group, debut its 2000m3/hr electrolyser in Shanghai. The company said several new technologies were applied on this electrolyser, including new catalyst, new membrane material and optimized polar plate design and it has higher energy efficiency which could reduce LCOH by 6% compared to 1000m3/hr electrolysers.
On Jan 30th, 2023, SinoHy Energy, a major electrolyser manufacturer and hydrogen energy solution provider located in Beijing, announced it could provide 2000m3/hr electrolysers to clients, expanding its products line.
Now the market is watching who will win the procurement of Sinopec to supply 2000m3/hr electrolysers. It will also prove the potential of ALK electrolyser products.
CAPEX is arguably one of the crucial factors for green hydrogen deployment and 2000m3/hr electrolysers could reduce it significantly. For global green hydrogen developers, they should pay attention to the hydrogen technologies advancements in China as it may set the benchmark of hydrogen investments.
Source: China Hydrogen Bulletin
