China opens PEM electrolyser R&D Centre

The Chinese multinational power generation and electrical equipment manufacturing company, Shanghai Electric and the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences inaugurated PEM Hydrogen Production Technology R&D Centre.

Both parties agreed to work on megawatt modular and high-efficiency proton exchange membrane hydrogen generation products. Shanghai Electric considers it an essential step to help the company advance its developments in the hydrogen energy sector. Both companies aim to progress towards the industrial development of electrolyser technology to further explore applications across the value chain.

China is trying to achieve its carbon neutrality and wants to integrate hydrogen into its energy mix, which is expected to reach 10% by 2050.

Shanghai Electric started working on the fuel cell system and stack in 2016. Last year it developed a fuel cell engine that can operate at a very low temperature of -30C and has the potential to replace internal combustion engines in commercial vehicles.

It established a Hydrogen Energy Division in 2020 to increase focus on the development of the hydrogen business. It has been working on several green hydrogen demonstration projects which encompass renewable energy generation, energy storage, production of hydrogen through electrolysis, and industrial applications.