China has achieved a technological breakthrough in green energy production that allows for a 50-percent green hydrogen blend in coal-fired power generation, achieving 100-percent hydrogen combustion, state-owned power giant CHN Energy said on Sunday.
The achievement comes as China, the world's largest consumer of electricity, looks for viable pathways to meet its "dual carbon" targets -- peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.
Powered by a domestically developed, low-nitrogen hydrogen-coal co-firing burner, the system features end-to-end safety protections that manage every operational stage, from hydrogen transport to furnace combustion.
The technology ensures that hydrogen and pulverized coal are thoroughly mixed and burned within the boiler, achieving a 50-percent hydrogen blending ratio by heat value in this experimental facility.
Widespread adoption could reduce coal consumption and carbon emissions by up to 50 percent, as well as achieve effective control of nitrogen oxide emissions.
China currently operates the world's largest fleet of coal-fired power plants. Finding ways to lower their carbon footprint is considered vital to maintaining grid stability while scaling up renewables.
The breakthrough validates a highly promising technical path for substantial carbon reductions in future coal-fired power units and carries great significance for the green transition of China's coal-generated electricity.
China achieves breakthrough in hydrogen-coal power generation
China's Shenzhou-23 astronauts have spent more than 80 days aboard the Tiangong Space Station, where they have advanced a broad slate of scientific experiments and operational training drills over the past week as the mission progresses steadily.
Last week, the three astronauts, namely Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan, and Lai Ka-ying, carried out multiple parallel space science experiments and tests, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
The crew completed in-orbit electroencephalogram (EEG) tests and behavioral experiments for the microgravity intuitive physics project, examining how prolonged spaceflight affects astronauts' brain functional networks and their ability to form intuitive physical representations.
They also collected and processed blood samples for research programs including bone metabolism interactive regulation and space integrative omics, supporting studies on the changing patterns of the human skeletal, nervous and other physiological systems during long-duration spaceflight.
In addition, kinematic characteristic experiments were conducted to provide support for ergonomic design and evaluation.
In the field of psychological and behavioral research, the trio finished an emergency decision-making capability assessment and an in-orbit emotional state test, part of ongoing work to track changes in crew performance and mental status throughout long-term on-orbit missions.
Alongside scientific endeavors, the astronauts pushed ahead with scheduled in-orbit training and emergency drills to reinforce their operational skills and response readiness.
Footage from the orbital complex shows the crew honing their skills on the on-orbit teleoperation rendezvous and docking training system, practicing manual docking, teleoperated docking and manual evacuation maneuvers by operating translation and attitude control handles.
They also completed in-orbit medical rescue training to familiarize themselves with rescue procedures and force application characteristics in a microgravity environment.
Furthermore, the crew carried out the second full-system pressure emergency drill, further consolidating their emergency handling capabilities and improving space-ground coordination efficiency.
China launched the Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceship on May 24. The mission includes a one-year in-orbit study designed to gather data for future long-duration human space missions.
China's Shenzhou-23 crew advance space science experiments, in-orbit training
