In recent years, hydrogen energy has emerged as a pivotal player in the global push for renewable energy sourcesAs a clean, efficient, and abundant energy form, it is increasingly being recognized for its critical role in replacing fossil fuels across various sectors, particularly in industrial applicationsExperts argue that accelerating the adoption of clean and low-carbon hydrogen in industry not only supports energy savings and carbon reductions but also acts as a driving force for the transformation towards a new type of industrialization.

Among the unique advantages of hydrogen energy is its ability to significantly lower carbon emissions in industrial processesAs the world's leading producer and consumer of hydrogen, China finds itself at the forefront of this transformation, especially in its industrial sector which represents the largest area of hydrogen consumptionIn recent years, China has made strides in developing a comprehensive hydrogen industry that spans the entire chain—from production and storage to transportation and application.

A notable method of hydrogen production in industrial settings is through the use of byproducts such as chlorine-alkali tail gas and coke oven gas

These gases, rich in hydrogen, can be purified and separated using technologies like pressure swing adsorptionOn the other hand, hydrogen produced via renewable energy sources, particularly through water electrolysis, harnesses solar and wind energyWhile hydrogen production from renewables holds great promise, byproduct hydrogen tends to be less costly and more readily available, offering a stable supply to the burgeoning hydrogen economy.

However, the industrial sector faces challenges, particularly in areas like chemicals, steel, and construction materials, which have limited prospects for carbon reduction due to their complex production processesAs noted by experts, over 80% of hydrogen consumption in China is within the chemical sectorTherefore, deploying technologies such as solid oxide electrolysis within these industries can significantly enhance energy conversion efficiency while linking processes to waste heat, ultimately aiding in the transition towards low-carbon and even carbon-neutral operations.

Looking at their production figures, more than 35 million tons of hydrogen were produced in China in 2023, accounting for roughly one-third of global output

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With China's renewable energy capacity leading the world, projections indicate that by mid-2024, production capacity derived from renewable sources could surpass 100,000 tons annually, with an anticipated additional capacity expansion of around 8 million tonsIndustry analysts predict that clean low-carbon hydrogen will become a staple zero-carbon feedstock in industry by 2030, with significant consumption figures projected for key sectorsBy 2060, hydrogen demand could potentially reach around 130 million tons in China, accounting for 20% of the total energy consumption with industrial applications dominating this demand.

This relationship among various industries is crucial, especially in sectors such as steel, petrochemicals, and transportation, which are heavily reliant on energy inputsThe deputy chief secretary of the Hydrogen Energy Division at the China Industry Development Promotion Association, Zhang Yu, emphasizes that hydrogen can catalyze deep decarbonization efforts and effectively underpin green development in industry.

The Chinese government's strategic planning also places a spotlight on optimizing application scenarios for hydrogen use

Recent schemes involve identifying key industries such as metallurgy, chemicals, and transportation, and proposing seven major hydrogen application scenariosFrom technological innovation to industrial demonstrations, specific tasks have been outlined to facilitate these developments, with the participation of numerous stakeholders across the public and private sectors.

As domestic advancements in hydrogen technologies continue, various large-scale projects are already operational, demonstrating the feasibility of clean hydrogen application across multiple sectorsThe leading example includes the rollout of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, which has set the stage for expansion into metallurgy, chemicals, and shipping industriesProjects like the million-ton hydrogen-based metallurgical project in Zhanjiang, Guangdong and the green hydrogen refining project in Kuqa, Xinjiang serve as key benchmarks in this domain.

One groundbreaking initiative launched in September 2022 involves the world’s first zero-carbon ammonia-hydrogen combustion technology production line, located in Foshan, Guangdong

By retrofitting existing kilns to utilize ammonia-hydrogen combustion instead of natural gas, the project is projected to cut annual CO2 emissions by 66,500 tons from its ceramics production lines.

Given the global urgency surrounding climate change, clean low-carbon hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a vital secondary energy source, particularly in the industrial sectorAs applications continue to diversify, a robust framework is being developed to support the integration of hydrogen into various industrial processes.

However, several challenges remain unaddressed in the push for widespread hydrogen adoptionPrimary among these is the high production cost and infrastructure constraints which impede the industrial application of clean hydrogenExperts advocate for collaborative efforts across government, industry, and research institutions to address these persistent challenges.

Experts have noted that reducing costs and enhancing efficiency in hydrogen production and distribution should be the foremost priorities

The need for a comprehensive approach to create supportive policies, streamline production processes, and improve the economics of hydrogen technology cannot be overstated as industries aim for expanded applications of clean hydrogen.

Moreover, the lack of necessary infrastructure poses hurdles to widespread adoptionAccording to industry analysts, a systematic investment in infrastructure—coupled with careful planning of hydrogen storage, transportation networks, and dispensing stations—is essential for developing a robust hydrogen supply chain.

Furthermore, a lack of established standards and technological maturity continues to impede progressExperts suggest the necessity of fostering innovation and enhancing public service capacities to advance key product technologies while systematically addressing these challenges to unlock the potential of hydrogen in various industrial applications.

Looking forward to 2027, it is expected that significant gains will be made in the supporting technologies and equipment required for clean low-carbon hydrogen applications within the industrial sector