Recently, Kawasaki Heavy Industries of Japan and Kobe Steel jointly announced that the world’s first next-generation hydrogen-fueled power generation system for hydrogen-based power generation had officially commenced operation. The system features a liquid hydrogen energy supply model and is designed to provide stable power for future large gas turbine generators, filling the global technological gap in direct liquid hydrogen supply for power generation. The newly commissioned system was developed under the NEDO-funded project in Japan, “Development of Technologies to Improve Hydrogen-Fueled Power Generation Efficiency and Performance Under the Hydrogen CGS Regional Model,” and was deployed at the Kobe Hydrogen Energy Center on Port Island in Kobe. It is the world’s first hydrogen supply power generation system to adopt an intermediate fluid vaporizer (IFV) for hydrogen together with a liquid hydrogen pump , enabling liquid hydrogen to be pressurized above critical pressure and directly supplying hydrogen fuel to power plants in a stable manner. The project had a clear division of responsibilities: Kawasaki Heavy Industries was responsible for optimizing the liquid hydrogen pressurization fuel supply system for gas turbine generators, while Kobe Steel focused on the R&D of IFV equipment utilizing the cold energy of liquid hydrogen. At present, demonstration tests have successfully delivered hydrogen fuel to a wet gas turbine, and subsequent hydrogen supply tests for a dry gas turbine will be carried out, with a focus on verifying operating performance under high summer temperature conditions as well as the long-term operational reliability of the liquid hydrogen pump.

Japan installed an estimated 5.8 to 6 GW of solar in 2025, pushing its cumulative capacity past 100 GW. According to RTS Corp, growth was driven by C&I power purchase agreements and new-build rooftop solar mandates in Tokyo and Kawasaki. Installations in 2026 are expected to remain steady, with a potential market rush before FiT/FiP subsidies for >10 kW systems end in FY2027. Long-term, Japan aims for solar to be its largest power source by 2040 (targeting up to 280 GW) and is actively subsidizing perovskite technology to hit a 20 GW target.

The CLNB 2025 (10th) New Energy Industry Expo, hosted by Shanghai Metals Market (SMM), will be grandly held at the Suzhou International Expo Center from April 16 to 18, 2025. Concurrent with the exhibition, there will be 1 main forum and 11 sub-forums, attended by government leaders, academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, domestic and overseas scientists, foreign guests from dozens of countries, and leading entrepreneurs from various industries. Witness the gathering of industry leaders, delve into core technologies, listen to experts' insights, and interpret market trends. Join us in Suzhou to focus on key issues and explore the development of the industry together. This expo covers 6 major exhibition areas, with over 1,300 domestic and overseas exhibitors and participating companies showcasing the entire industry chain of batteries, including power batteries, consumer batteries, ESS, raw materials, materials, equipment, battery recycling, and new energy vehicles, power tools, electric drives, and the low-altitude economy in the power exhibition area, providing you with a one-stop exhibition experience. Click to fill out the registration form and register immediately to discuss the future development of the new energy industry with industry elites. We look forward to your arrival and to opening this feast of the new energy industry with SMM. At this new energy industry expo, Hebei Yanming Chemical Equipment Co., Ltd. will make a grand appearance, discussing industry cooperation, sharing development opportunities, and jointly painting a beautiful blueprint for the new energy industry with peers. Hebei Yanming Chemical Equipment Co., Ltd., Booth No.: G30, cordially invites you to visit the CLNB 2025 New Energy Industry Expo. About Hebei Yanming: Hebei Yanming Chemical Equipment Co., Ltd. is a national high-tech enterprise with independent intellectual property rights, integrating design, R&D, manufacturing, after-sales service, technical consultation, and installation. The company has successively won the titles of "National Science and Technology-based SME," "Innovative Enterprise" of Hebei Province, "Specialized and Sophisticated SME" of Hebei Province, "Gazelle Enterprise" of Shijiazhuang City, "Top 10 Equipment Enterprises of High-quality Suppliers in China's Cobalt and Lithium Industry Chain" in 2018, and "High-quality Enterprise of New Energy Equipment and Consumables in China" at the 8th China International New Energy Industry Conference in 2023. It is also the vice-chairman unit of the "China Power Battery Recycling and Cascade Utilization Alliance." The company's technical personnel have been engaged in the design of lithium chemicals and battery materials for 22 years, especially in the recycling and purification of lithium chemicals from waste batteries, continuous carbonization and precipitation of lithium hydroxide, and drying of lithium chemicals and battery materials. They have pioneered the development of continuous carbonization and pyrolysis purification technology for crude lithium carbonate, achieving the recycling of new energy vehicle battery materials; pioneered the development of continuous carbonization and precipitation technology for lithium hydroxide, greatly improving labor efficiency; and pioneered the development of low-magnetic incremental disc continuous dryers for lithium chemicals and battery materials, achieving a global low of less than 10ppb of magnetic substance increment in the input and output materials of stainless steel disc continuous dryers, effectively solving the safety issues of new energy vehicle batteries. Currently, the company has established cooperative relationships with over 300 enterprises, including CATL, BYD, Brunp Recycling, Minmetals Salt Lake, Sinochem Lithium Battery, BASF, Albemarle, LG Chem, Ganfeng Lithium, Huayou Cobalt, Youngy Lithium, Rongjie Co., Ltd., Guanghua Technology, Conch Kawasaki, EVE, Xinjiang Nonferrous Metal, China Salt, Anhui Tian Tie, Ronbay New Energy, and Shaanxi Coal Group. The company is currently one of the main technology and equipment providers for drying, evaporation, crystallization, and lithium recovery in the lithium battery new energy industry. Product Introduction: Disc Continuous Dryer: The disc continuous dryer is a highly efficient conduction-type continuous drying equipment. It features high thermal efficiency, low energy consumption, easy control, strong applicability, simple operation, and small footprint. It is widely used in drying operations in industries such as chemical, pharmaceutical, pesticide, food, feed, and agricultural product processing. Our company currently produces four types: atmospheric, closed, vacuum, and positive pressure, with six specifications: Φ800, Φ1200, Φ1500, Φ2200, Φ2500, and Φ3000. The materials include carbon steel, stainless steel, and titanium, with drying areas ranging from 4 to 180㎡, totaling over 300 models of series products, and can provide various auxiliary equipment to meet users' needs for drying various materials. Lithium Chemicals and Ternary Cathode Precursor Disc Continuous Drying System: The drying of lithium chemicals and ternary cathode precursor battery materials has strict requirements on the increase of magnetic substances during the drying process (generally requiring the increase of magnetic impurities through the dryer to be no higher than 10ppb), with minimal product particle damage, low exhaust dust content, and low energy consumption. In response to the requirements of the battery material drying industry, our company has improved the disc continuous dryer equipment and drying process, developing a low-magnetic impurity disc continuous drying system. Continuous Carbonization and Precipitation of Lithium Hydroxide: Traditional lithium hydroxide precipitation processes use batch operation in stirred tanks, which occupy a large area, have high costs, and high equipment failure rates. In response, Hebei Yanming has developed a continuous carbonization and precipitation process and equipment for lithium hydroxide, with continuous system operation and high automation; stable product quality and high direct yield; high carbon dioxide utilization rate, and the carbonization tower can be cleaned online, reducing operating and labor costs, making the company's products more competitive in the market. Lithium Carbonate Carbonization Pyrolysis Purification System for Battery Recycling Industry: The lithium carbonate carbonization pyrolysis purification system utilizes the principle that lithium bicarbonate has high solubility in water and easily decomposes at high temperatures to purify lithium carbonate. Hebei Yanming has earlier adopted gas stirring instead of traditional mechanical stirring in the lithium carbonate carbonization system. 1. High automation, simple and convenient operation, low labor intensity. 2. Continuous production, high production efficiency, stable product quality. 3. High carbonization efficiency and low lithium loss through special gas distribution devices. 4. Long scaling cycle in pyrolysis, high equipment utilization rate. 5. Low system energy consumption, low cost per ton of product. 6. High carbon dioxide recovery rate, low exhaust emissions. Lithium Chloride and Sodium Chloride Separation and Lithium Chloride Evaporation Crystallization Drying System for Anhydrous Lithium Chloride Production: Lithium chloride is mainly extracted from lepidolite, spodumene, and salt lake brine in industry, generally containing impurities such as sodium chloride and potassium chloride. Based on the analysis of materials and the application effects in actual projects, Hebei Yanming has specially designed and modified key equipment in the process of producing anhydrous lithium chloride from lithium chloride solution, achieving high sodium (potassium) precipitation rate and low lithium loss during sodium (potassium) precipitation; while meeting normal production, reducing system operating costs. [CLNB 2025—Hot Registration in Progress] CLNB 2025 (10th) New Energy Industry Expo April 16 to 18, 2025 Suzhou International Expo Center

Recently, an AI named Deep Seek has sparked widespread discussion. Many clients recommended that I try it, so I opened Deep Seek, selected the deep thinking mode, and asked it, "What will the global hydrogen energy industry look like in 2025?" It responded with, "Green hydrogen will dominate applications, and storage and transportation infrastructure will determine the pace of development." This led me to reflect: I. Green Hydrogen Dominates Applications 1. Continuous Growth in Green Hydrogen Capacity Green hydrogen, produced by water electrolysis using renewable electricity, is key to achieving energy transition and carbon neutrality goals. According to a research report by Guojin Securities, 2025 marks the settlement period for the medium and long-term hydrogen energy plan, and the hydrogen energy and fuel cell industries are expected to enter a phase of rapid growth. By the end of 2024, China will have completed the construction of over 80 green hydrogen projects, with a capacity of 109,000 mt/year, doubling from the end of 2023 and essentially achieving national-level targets. Globally, green hydrogen capacity is also expanding rapidly. According to IRENA, global green hydrogen trade volume is expected to reach 12 million mt by 2025, accounting for 15% of total hydrogen demand. 2. Expanding Application Fields The widespread application of green hydrogen is crucial for driving its industrial development. In the chemical sector, green hydrogen has become an important alternative to traditional gray hydrogen. By the end of 2024, China's downstream green hydrogen projects for chemical applications are planned to produce over 5 million mt/year, accounting for approximately 70% of the total. Additionally, green hydrogen applications in transportation, construction, and aerospace are being actively explored. Particularly in the shipping and steel industries, driven by strong policies, green hydrogen shows promising prospects. For example, the European HYBRIT project and China Baowu's Zhanjiang base have achieved million-mt-level green steel capacity, significantly reducing carbon emissions per ton of steel. 3. Intensifying Competition in Technology Routes The development of the green hydrogen industry is also accompanied by intensified competition in technology routes. In electrolyzer technology, alkaline electrolyzers (ALK) dominate the Chinese market due to their low material costs, while Europe and the US are betting on PEM technology (fast response, suitable for fluctuating green electricity). Chinese producers like Peric Hydrogen are deeply investing in PEM technology, potentially triggering global competition in technology routes. Additionally, technological patent layouts in core areas such as liquid hydrogen/LOHC storage and transportation and high-power fuel cells have become focal points for enterprises. II. Storage and Transportation Infrastructure Determines Development Speed 1. High Storage and Transportation Costs The storage and transportation of hydrogen, as a bridge connecting hydrogen production and application, are critical for the efficient utilization of hydrogen energy. However, the difficulty and high cost of hydrogen storage and transportation have long been bottlenecks restricting the development of the hydrogen energy industry. As a gaseous substance, hydrogen's low density, low liquefaction temperature, and reactive nature make its storage and transportation challenging and less safe. In the hydrogen energy industry chain, storage and transportation costs typically account for 30% of total costs, and in some cases, even up to 40%. 2. Continuous Innovation in Storage and Transportation Technology To reduce storage and transportation costs and improve efficiency, enterprises and research institutions are continuously exploring new technologies. Liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) technology, which achieves hydrogen storage and release through reversible hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions, offers advantages such as stable properties of hydrogenated substances, high safety, and simple storage methods. China National Chemical Engineering Group and Hydrogenious Technologies have established integrated demonstration facilities in Beijing and Shanghai Jinshan, supplying 400 kg of hydrogen daily, achieving significant advantages in stability, safety, purity, and cost. Additionally, hydrogen-rich liquid compounds such as liquid ammonia and methanol are being studied as hydrogen carriers. 3. Accelerated Construction of Storage and Transportation Infrastructure The construction of storage and transportation infrastructure is key to advancing the hydrogen energy industry. To accelerate this, governments and enterprises worldwide are increasing investment. The EU plans to build 40,000 km of hydrogen pipelines by 2030, primarily by retrofitting existing natural gas pipelines. China is also actively promoting the construction of hydrogen storage and transportation infrastructure, including hydrogen refueling stations and hydrogen pipelines. However, challenges such as insufficient technological maturity, high investment costs, and an incomplete policy environment still hinder progress. III. Key Focus Areas for Enterprises 1. Resource Binding: Securing Strategic Nodes Like Wind and Solar Hydrogen Production Bases and Port Hubs Wind and solar hydrogen production bases are crucial sources of green hydrogen production, while port hubs are key nodes for hydrogen storage, transportation, and application. Enterprises need to actively secure these strategic nodes to ensure stable resource supply and market channels. By establishing wind and solar hydrogen production bases, enterprises can ensure the sustainability of green hydrogen production; by developing port hubs, they can build hydrogen storage, transportation, and application networks to enhance market competitiveness. 2. Deepening Application Scenarios: Establishing First-Mover Advantage in Policy-Driven Sectors Like Shipping and Steel Shipping and steel are important sectors for hydrogen energy applications and are strongly policy-driven. In these sectors, hydrogen energy has significant potential to replace traditional energy sources. Enterprises need to deeply explore application scenarios in these industries and develop hydrogen energy technologies and products tailored to their characteristics to establish a first-mover advantage. For example, in the shipping sector, enterprises can develop hydrogen-powered vessels and refueling facilities; in the steel industry, they can promote hydrogen-based direct reduced iron technology to reduce carbon emissions. 3. Technology Investment: Patent Layout in Core Areas Like Liquid Hydrogen/LOHC Storage and High-Power Fuel Cells Core technologies such as liquid hydrogen/LOHC storage and high-power fuel cells are critical to the development of the hydrogen energy industry. Enterprises need to increase R&D investment in these areas to gain core patents and technological advantages. Through patent layouts, enterprises can protect their technological achievements, prevent technology leakage and infringement, and leverage patents for technology licensing and collaboration to drive the hydrogen energy industry's development. IV. Case Studies 1. Accelerated Implementation of Green Hydrogen Projects In recent years, green hydrogen projects have been implemented at an accelerated pace globally. For example, Saudi Arabia's NEOM, Australia's Asian Renewable Energy Hub, and Egypt's Suez Canal project in North Africa have become major global green hydrogen export bases. These projects utilize abundant local renewable energy resources to build large-scale water electrolysis facilities, delivering green hydrogen worldwide. Their successful implementation provides strong support for the development of the hydrogen energy industry. 2. Innovative Practices in Storage and Transportation Technology In terms of storage and transportation technology innovation, some enterprises have achieved significant results. For instance, Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Japan has commercialized a -253°C liquid hydrogen transport ship, providing a feasible solution for long-distance liquid hydrogen transportation despite high energy consumption. Additionally, the LOHC storage and transportation technology developed by China National Chemical Engineering Group and Hydrogenious Technologies has achieved good results in demonstration applications. These innovative practices offer new ideas and methods for addressing hydrogen storage and transportation challenges. 3. Expanding and Deepening Application Scenarios In terms of application scenarios, hydrogen energy is continuously expanding and deepening. For example, in the transportation sector, the use of fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen-powered drones is gradually increasing; in the industrial sector, projects such as hydrogen-based direct reduced iron and green ammonia/methanol are being rapidly advanced. These expansions and deepening of application scenarios inject new vitality and momentum into the development of the hydrogen energy industry. V. Conclusion and Outlook In summary, the hydrogen energy industry in 2025 is expected to exhibit the trend of "green hydrogen dominating applications and storage and transportation infrastructure determining development speed." As a vital component of clean energy, green hydrogen is driving profound global transformations. However, the hydrogen energy industry still faces numerous challenges and bottlenecks, particularly in the storage and transportation segment. To accelerate the industry's development, enterprises need to actively secure resource nodes, deepen application scenarios, and strengthen technological investments. Meanwhile, governments and society should increase support, improve the policy environment, enhance infrastructure construction, and promote technological innovation and industrial upgrading. With joint efforts from all parties, the hydrogen energy industry is poised for a broader development horizon. Written by: SMM Hydrogen Energy Analyst Sofia Xin Shi - 13515219405 (WeChat available). If you are also interested in hydrogen, feel free to contact me for discussion.