Chinese electrolyzers are less efficient and dependable than western equipment, according to a Chinese-language analysis by Beijing-based trade group China Hydrogen Energy & Fuel Cells Industry Innovation Strategic Alliance (CHEFCIISA). Despite being up to four times cheaper to acquire, low efficiency and shorter working lives result in a higher Levelized cost of hydrogen.
“European machines are far more advanced in heat reclamation technology and better regulate gas flow than their Chinese counterparts, therefore boosting total efficiency and economic benefit,” according to the paper, titled “China Hydrogen Energy & Fuel Cell Industry Development Report 2021.” Control systems in Europe are superior, resulting in more evenly distributed loads and a slower rate of degradation, resulting in a longer lifespan.”
Chinese electrolyzers have thicker separators in the stacks, 1mm compared to less than 0.5mm in the West, resulting in lower current densities and efficiency, according to CHEFCIISA. Furthermore, as compared to European machines, Chinese machines tend to employ weaker core materials. “Chinese electrolyzer electrodes tend to be constructed from porous nickel,” according to the reports, “while Europe has already advanced to high-performance nickel-based alloy.” In terms of hydrogen-generation efficiency, China has a long way to go.”
According to the China Hydrogen Alliance, locally built equipment will be capable of working lives of 100,000 hours by 2030, up from 60,000 hours currently. Furthermore, CNTHE, China’s third-largest electrolyzer manufacturer, is working on a pressurized alkaline machine that will improve the amount of hydrogen produced per MWh of power. As a result, it would be more sensitive to wind and solar power fluctuations than standard unpressurized alkaline electrolyzers manufactured by European firms.
