As a clean, efficient, and renewable new energy source, hydrogen energy is becoming an important direction for global energy transition. China, as the world’s largest energy consumer and carbon emitter, is also actively exploring the development path of hydrogen energy, striving to occupy a dominant position in this new trillion-dollar industry.
It is understood that China has made a breakthrough to develop an advanced technology route that can use renewable energy sources such as light energy and wind energy to decompose water into hydrogen and oxygen, and then convert hydrogen into methanol and burn it directly. This technology route not only can avoid the problems of battery quantity limitation and energy density insufficiency, but also can use existing infrastructure and internal combustion engines, greatly reducing costs and difficulties. According to experts’ estimates, this route can create a huge output value of 5 to 10 trillion-dollar in three to five years.
Regarding the development prospects of this field, experts said: “We must adopt the development path of hydrogen energy. Relying solely on batteries is not enough. The most feasible development path is not like Japan’s technology, but our country’s breakthrough that can create 5 to 10 trillion-dollar output value in three to five years.” They also pointed out that China has broken through the internal combustion engine technology that burns 100% methanol, which has very low emissions and pollution. They believe that if it can be invested and promoted in three to five years, it can not only solve China’s energy security problem, but also promote the development of the whole industrial economy, which is very significant.
In fact, China’s attention to hydrogen energy is not a sudden move. Recently, six national departments jointly issued the Hydrogen Energy Industry Standard System Guide, which provides guidance and norms for the development of hydrogen energy industry. It is reported that the guide covers the standard requirements and construction directions of each part of the hydrogen energy industry chain, including hydrogen preparation, storage and transportation, refueling, utilization and so on. The guide also reflects China’s strategic intention for hydrogen energy technology innovation and application promotion.
At the same time, in the global scope, hydrogen energy is also receiving more and more attention. According to statistics, there are currently more than 30 countries and regions that have issued hydrogen energy strategies or plans, involving more than 2,000 projects and more than 300 billion US dollars of investment. Among them, countries or regions such as the European Union, Japan, South Korea and so on regard hydrogen energy as an important means to reduce emissions and achieve carbon neutrality in the future.
China, being a responsible major power, also shows a positive attitude and action force in dealing with climate change. In September last year, President Xi Jinping announced at the 75th United Nations General Assembly that China will strive to reach the peak of carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. This goal is considered to be an important commitment with historical significance and global influence.
In order to achieve this goal, China needs to accelerate the development and transformation of new energy sources. As a clean, efficient and renewable new energy source, hydrogen energy is undoubtedly an important direction for China’s energy transition. China has achieved some important technological breakthroughs and industrial advantages in the field of hydrogen energy. If it can increase investment and promotion, it is expected to occupy a dominant position in this new trillion-dollar industry, and contribute to the global energy transition and climate governance.
