China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) has successfully completed the construction of the Sinopec Xinjiang Kuqa green hydrogen pilot project, marking a significant milestone in China’s efforts to industrialise green hydrogen production. This state-of-the-art facility, China’s largest photovoltaic green hydrogen production project, has the capacity to produce 20,000 tons of green hydrogen annually at full operation.
The primary objective of this project is to provide a sustainable source of green hydrogen for Sinopec Tahe Petrochemical, replacing the reliance on natural gas and fossil fuels in their hydrogen production processes. This transition toward green hydrogen signifies a major step towards low-carbon development in modern oil processing and the coupling of green hydrogen technology.
One notable aspect of the project is its utilization of abundant solar resources in Xinjiang. The facility includes an electrolyzed water hydrogen plant with an annual capacity of 20,000 tons, a spherical hydrogen storage tank with a capacity of 210,000 standard cubic meters, and hydrogen transmission pipelines with a capacity of 28,000 standard cubic meters per hour. Importantly, this project represents China’s first large-scale deployment of photovoltaic power generation for direct green hydrogen production.
By implementing such initiatives, Sinopec aims to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions, with an estimated reduction of approximately 485,000 tons per year. The company has overcome various challenges, including addressing the fluctuations in new energy power generation to ensure flexible hydrogen production. Furthermore, they have achieved localization of major equipment and core materials, supporting China’s self-sufficiency in this critical sector.
As reported by PR Newswire, in addition to the Xinjiang project, Sinopec is actively advancing its green hydrogen endeavors. Construction began in February 2023 on a project in Ordos, with an annual green hydrogen production capacity of 30,000 tons. Additionally, plans are underway for the Ulanqab project. Sinopec is committed to aligning its efforts with the “dual-carbon” goals, which involve both reducing carbon emissions and promoting green and low-carbon development.
In the realm of hydrogen transportation and refining, Sinopec is making substantial progress, establishing over 100 hydrogen refueling stations, which currently constitute the world’s largest network of hydrogen refueling stations. They are also strategically investing in large-scale projects that integrate renewable energy power generation, hydrogen production, storage, and utilization, further solidifying their position as a leader in the green hydrogen industry.
