Government Work Report first mentioned hydrogen energy: accelerate the development of emerging hydrogen energy industry
On March 5, The 14th National People's Congress, China's national legislature, opened its second session Tuesday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Premier Li Qiang delivered a government work report at the meeting. The report points out that it is necessary to accelerate the development of cutting-edge emerging hydrogen energy, new materials, innovative medicines and other industries, and actively build new growth engines such as bio-manufacturing, commercial spaceflight and low-altitude economy. Formulate plans for the development of future industries and open up new tracks such as quantum technology and life sciences. Carry out the "Artificial Intelligence +" action. This is the first time that hydrogen energy as a cutting-edge emerging industries mentioned in the government work report", the industry believes that the future of government at all levels is expected to introduce more policies to support the hydrogen energy industry.
State Administration for Market Regulation announces procurement intentions, including national standards for multiple hydrogen energy segments
According to China's government procurement, the State Administration for Market Regulation has announced its procurement intentions for February to December 2024. The projects of procurement intention include "development of national standards for test methods for proton exchange membrane fuel cells electrocatalyst ". Overview of the procurement requirements is as follows: establish test methods for proton exchange membrane fuel cells electrocatalyst, membrane electrode and carbon paper’s characteristics, and develop relevant national standards. Preliminary establish piping construction method for hydrogen in pressure piping specification, and develop related national standards. Develop national standards such as technical requirements and test methods for PEM electrolyzer and test methods for fluctuation adaptability of electrolyzed water to hydrogen system. Procurement is expected to take place in April 2024.
Shandong: Temporary exemption of highway tolls for hydrogen vehicles
In order to encourage hydrogen vehicles to carry out inter-regional operations, Department of Transportation of Shandong Province, Development and Reform Commission of Shandong Province,and Department of Science and Technology of Shandong Province jointly issued the Notice on “Temporary Exemption of Highway Tolls for Hydrogen Vehicles”. The notice states that since March 1, 2024, hydrogen vehicles traveling on highways in Shandong Province with ETC suite equipment installed will be temporarily exempted from highway tolls. The policy will be implemented for a trial period of 2 years, and will be adjusted in due course according to the implementation situation after the expiration.
Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China: Planning and laying out the development of hydrogen energy and other future energy and future manufacturing industries
On February 29, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China and other six departments issued the "Guiding Opinions on Accelerating the Green Development of the Manufacturing Industry". The Opinions mentioned that promote green hydrogen, low (no) volatile organic compounds, renewable resources, industrial solid waste and other raw material substitution, enhance the supply capacity of natural gas, ethane, propane and other raw materials, and improve the proportion of green low-carbon raw materials.
Plan green low-carbon field of future industries. Focus on the needs of the energy revolution and industrial change under the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, plan the development of future energy and future manufacturing industries, such as hydrogen energy, energy storage, bio-manufacturing, and carbon capture, CCUS and others. Around the demand for hydrogen in petrochemical and chemical industries, iron and steel, transportation, energy storage, power generation, etc., build a whole industrial chain of technology and equipment systems for hydrogen energy production, storage, transmission and utilization, and improve the technical economy and industrial chain completeness of hydrogen energy.
Development and Reform Commission of Shanxi Province issues 2024 Action Program of Hydrogen Energy Industry Chain
On February 18, Development and Reform Commission of Shanxi Province and Department of Industry and Information Technology of Shanxi Province jointly issued the 2024 Action Program of Shanxi Province Hydrogen Energy Industry Chain . The Action Program proposes to carry out key core technology research on hydrogen energy, promote the construction of hydrogen energy innovation platform, establish a diversified hydrogen energy supply system, promote the construction of hydrogen refueling stations in an orderly manner, carry out the demonstration application of hydrogen energy in the field of transportation in an orderly manner, explore and carry out the demonstration application of hydrogen energy in the field of industry, create a hydrogen energy industry cluster, promote the major projects of the hydrogen industry, carry out the investment of the hydrogen industry chain, strengthen the exchanges and cooperation of the hydrogen industry, and strengthen the safety management of the entire hydrogen energy industry chain. Hydrogen energy industry chain safety management and other 11 key tasks. Clear 3 safeguard measures, promote the development of hydrogen energy production, storage, transportation, plus the use of the whole industry chain, to accelerate the formation of new productivity.
UK invests £21m in seven new hydrogen projects
The UK Government will invest a further £21m ($26.57m) into seven hydrogen projects across the country as it moves to ramp up production of the fuel to meet net-zero targets, although most will produce blue hydrogen. These seven hydrogen projects could increase the UK’s hydrogen production capacity by 800 MW.Four projects will develop plans for hydrogen facilities to supply cleaner fuel to companies across various industries like pharmaceuticals and automotive. The remaining three will produce hydrogen for industry and transport. They include Suffolk Hydrogen run by Hydrab Power, which will make green hydrogen for service vehicles at the Sizewell C nuclear site; Tees Valley Hydrogen led by Exolum, which will build a new hydrogen refuelling station for the local transport sector; and Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub run by BP and Aberdeen City Council, which will supply cleaner fuel for the local fleet of electric buses.
Honda unveils world’s first hydrogen plug-in hybrid car
Recently, Honda unveiled the 2025 CR-V e:FCEV hydrogen, the world’s first hydrogen plug-in hybrid car. It adopts the next-generation hydrogen fuel cell module which co-developed with General Motors.This iteration boasts enhanced durability, heightened efficiency, increased refinement, and a reduced cost. It supports rapid hydrogen refueling, with a refill time of only about 3 minutes.Its hydrogen fuel tank only has a capacity of 4.3kg with a working pressure of 10,000 psi, making it the smallest on the market.CR-V e:FCEV provides 270 miles (434.5km) of range, while its 17.7KWh plug-in battery can also add a further 29 miles of range.
