The world's largest single-unit green ammonia project was put into operation in Da'an City of northeast China's Jilin Province on Saturday.
State Power Investment Corporation's Da'an Project first utilizes the abundant wind and solar resources in Jilin Province to generate "green electricity," which is used in water electrolysis to produce "green hydrogen." And then, green hydrogen will be combined with nitrogen from the air to synthesize "green ammonia" under the action of a catalyst.
This process integrates the entire industrial chain from new energy consumption to the utilization of green ammonia. The "green ammonia" can be widely applied in the chemical, transportation, and power sectors.
"After putting into operation, it will achieve an annual production capacity of 32,000 tons of green hydrogen and 180,000 tons of green ammonia, reducing carbon emissions by about 650,000 tons each year, which is equivalent to the carbon emissions from the daily electricity consumption of nearly 500,000 ordinary households in a year," said Song Shulin, chief director of the project.
The installed capacity of the new energy part of the project reaches 800 megawatts, including 700 megawatts of wind power and 100 megawatts of photovoltaic power. "We have creatively applied our independent intellectual property rights to develop a full-process flexible control system of 'power-hydrogen-chemical', addressing the challenge of matching the instability of wind and solar power generation with the stability of synthetic ammonia production. This has paved the way for a replicable industrial model for the on-site transformation of new energy sources," said Song.
World's largest single-unit green ammonia project put into operation
John Lee, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), announced on Friday that an independent committee will have nine months to investigate the Wang Fuk Court fire that occurred in late November.
The fire, which erupted on November 26 in Tai Po, has claimed 160 lives as of 16:00 Tuesday, with six people still reported missing, according to authorities.
At a press conference, Lee said the committee will be led by Judge David Lok, chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission, and will also include Legislative Council Finance Committee Chairman Chan Kin-por and outgoing MTR Corporation Chairman Rex Auyeung Pak-kuen.
"Nine months is a very challenging time indeed, but I want to solve the problem as quickly as possible. So I want to give what I regard as a time frame -- realistic -- provided the independent committee is given sufficient means to maneuver, while ensuring the examination is just. They can streamline procedure and be given more flexibility so that they can finish their work within the nine months. And I also have given them a reserve power. That is, if the independent committee considers, by examining all these complicated issues, there may be one which they think, by exercising the powers that is given to a statutory commissioner of inquiry, will help them complete their work, then I'm very willing to consider a recommendation by the independent commission to seek appointing them as the commission of inquiry," Lee said.
Lee noted that the committee's investigation will focus on the causes and circumstances of the fire, and whether systemic issues exist in large-scale building management and renovation projects.
The committee will also examine whether the current regulations and penalties are sufficient in these two areas and will make relevant recommendations. The investigation reports are expected to be made public.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, David Lok stressed the need for fairness and impartiality in the investigation, saying that he would refrain from commenting on the investigation until the committee completes its work.
"During this period, I hope everyone understands that although this is a committee, I am leading this work in my capacity as a judge. Judges must also adhere to certain professional principles, including being fair and impartial. We need to conduct rational analysis based on facts before making any factual judgments or recommendations; we cannot be emotional. Furthermore, we cannot have a pre-established position. In fact, before every judge hears a case, we should ideally start with a blank slate and cannot have a predetermined stance," said Lok.
"So today, if you ask me for my views on certain matters or how we will conduct the investigation, I’m afraid I won't be able to answer as freely as I could when I was at the Electoral Affairs Commission. But I hope all media friends and residents understand that I do not wish to evade questions; it is simply that some questions at this stage are inappropriate for the committee chair to answer. Therefore, during the investigation, I do not expect to speak with you again until our work is completed," he said.
Investigation into Tai Po fire to conclude within nine months: HKSAR chief executive
