China's hydrogen industry has seen a significant increase in export orders for electrolysers, driven by a global shift towards clean energy and a growing number of green hydrogen projects abroad.
Electrolysers, the key equipment used to produce hydrogen from water, are likely to become a new growth driver for the export sector following batteries, photovoltaics, and electric vehicles.
One leading Chinese electrolyser manufacturer in Handan City, north China's Hebei province, has already doubled its production in the first half of this year compared to the same period of last year, with export orders primarily coming from Europe and North America.
The company is actively expanding its production capacity, with over 50 percent of its future output earmarked for overseas markets.
"Our current production capacity is 350 sets of water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment per year, and by the same period of next year, this number will reach over 1,000," said Ding Rui, deputy general manager of the hydrogen energy technology company. Industry experts highlight the growing global trend of using renewable energy sources like solar and wind power to produce green hydrogen through water electrolysis. This has led to a significant increase in green hydrogen projects under construction and planning worldwide.
The Middle East and North Africa, which are rich in renewable energy resources, are particularly eager to import electrolyser equipment due to their limited domestic supply capacity. This presents significant market opportunities for Chinese electrolyser manufacturers.
"According to our statistics, by 2030, global green hydrogen production capacity will exceed 40 million tons per year, corresponding to an electrolyser installed capacity of about 460 gigawatts, creating a vast market space worth nearly a hundred billion dollars," said Zhang Yu, secretary-general of the Hydrogen Energy Branch of the China Association for the Promotion of Industry Development.
China's hydrogen industry rides green wave with electrolyser export skyrocketing
Truck drivers and their cargoes sought refuge in a Shanghai activity hub as Typhoon Bebinca, the strongest typhoon to hit the city in decades, made landfall on Monday morning, unleashing heavy rains and winds exceeding 160 kilometers per hour.
In the Pudong District, situated on the southeastern tip of Shanghai, the impact of Typhoon Bebinca was stark, with trees and road signs uprooted, construction sites disrupted, and bicycles scattered across the ground.
Shanghai is not prone to strong typhoons, but local authorities have made emergency plans.
In Lingang Special Area, an activity hub was transformed into a temporary shelter for over 130 truck drivers and their cargoes.
"With such strong winds, it's not safe to park my truck on the street. Trees could fall. Parking here is a safer choice. The service is good here. It's clean, and it also provides food. We can take a shower here," said Wang Shaodong, a truck driver from east China's Anhui Province.
"The Donghai Bridge has been closed, as the typhoon is approaching. That's why we came here. They provide us with bedding, and air conditioners were turned on. So we are staying here. There are also meals downstairs," said Gong Xiangge, a hazardous cargo driver from east China's Shandong Province.
"We call these truck drivers 'men living on wheels.' The 13th typhoon [of this year] brought gales, with maximum wind speed reaching 36.9 meters per second, so danger may come at any time. So staying on the side of the street is unsafe for both trucks and drivers," said Fan Jianrong, deputy director of Lingang Special Area Investment Holding Group.
Although traffic resumed on all roads and bridges across Shanghai starting from 20:00 on Monday, precautions are still in place as Typhoon Pulasan, the 14th of the year, has formed in the northeastern Pacific and could follow a similar path to Typhoon Bebinca.
The director of the center said that the shelter remains open to those in need, ensuring that assistance is readily available for individuals affected by the poor weather.
Truck drivers seek shelter as powerful typhoon hits Shanghai
