China just gave the greenlight for a massive green hydrogen project for the region if Inner Mongolia; the project might be the biggest in the world, and it will use solar and wind power to produce the green fuel.
Firstly, the project involves a cluster of plants in the cities of Ordos and Baotou; the cluster will use 1,85 gigawatts of solar; and also 370 megawatts of wind, to produce around 66,900 tons of green hydrogen per year.
Secondly, according to a report by the Hydrogen Energy Industry Promotion, developments will begin in October; while the project might be operational by mid-2023; however, the association did not specify any financial or cost details for the project.
Thirdly, the quantity of green hydrogen projected by the cluster would be enough to displace 180 gallons of gasoline a year; if the green fuel were used for fuel-cell vehicles. According to Bloomberg NEF analyst Xiaoting Wang, the project is the biggest approved by the Chinese government.
Moreover, there are some details that the project will need to tackle; like bottlenecks in supply; the way that hydrogen will be stored and transported, and other security issues.
Also recommended for you: Representative meets with GAF Energy to boost RAISE Roof Act. Click here to read.
First of its class hydrogen project in China; massive scale
In addition, some of the electricity generated by the project will go to the grid; less than 20% according to the statement; the rest will be entirely dedicated to the production of hydrogen.
Furthermore, Wang noted that in China there are a number of projects combining renewable electricity and hydrogen; however, many of those projects mainly focus on the electricity generation, leaving the hydrogen in a second-grade spot.
On the other hand, the project will require at least 465 megawatts of electrolyzers to produce that much hydrogen; however, the biggest electrolyzers available are around 200 MW; bigger 400 MW devices are expected to come this year. “These projects will install more electrolyzers than the entire global market in 2021.” Wang said.
Finally, the biggest Chinese green hydrogen projects so far have come from industrial giants; like Sinopec or Ningxia Baofeng Energy Group; which is set to complete a 150-megawatt solar-powered electrolyzer array this year, at one of its coal-to-chemical plants. Consequently, this new project has a massive scale, maybe the biggest in the world.
