China Energy Engineering Corporation’s First PEM Hydrogen Refueling Station Demonstration Project – 20 Nm³/h Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer

Project Background

As the global energy landscape shifts toward greener and more sustainable solutions, hydrogen has emerged as a key pillar of the energy transition. Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) water electrolysis technology, with its rapid response capability, high current density, and seamless integration with fluctuating renewable energy sources, is increasingly recognized as a critical pathway for hydrogen production.

However, for a long time, China has relied on imported core materials for PEM electrolyzers, and a key safety metric—hydrogen content in oxygen (H₂ in O₂)—has lagged behind international benchmarks. To address these challenges, China Energy Engineering Corporation (CEEC) partnered with AihyTech to develop the country’s first fully localized PEM hydrogen refueling station demonstration project. This initiative marks a major milestone in advancing China’s self-sufficiency in hydrogen equipment manufacturing.

AihyTech 20 Nm³/h PEM Electrolyzer

Project Overview

• Technology: Utilizes AihyTech’s PEM electrolysis hydrogen production technology with a designed capacity of 20 Nm³/h.

• Key Breakthrough: Achieved full localization of core electrolyzer materials, including catalysts, proton exchange membranes, and bipolar plates, eliminating reliance on imported components.

• Performance Benchmark: Successfully reduced H₂ in O₂ concentration to <0.017%, far surpassing the industry standard of <0.5%.

• Application: Provides green hydrogen for hydrogen refueling stations while validating the commercial reliability of domestically produced PEM electrolyzers.

Key Technical Highlights

1. Industry-Leading Hydrogen Purity & Safety

• Optimized electrolyzer flow field design, membrane electrode activation processes, and system integration controls have reduced H₂ in O₂ concentration to <0.017%, significantly lower than the international mainstream level (0.5%–1.0%).

• This breakthrough not only enhances hydrogen safety but also reduces hydrogen purification costs and extends equipment maintenance intervals, paving the way for large-scale commercialization.                                       

2. Localized Materials with World-Class Performance

• High-activity, low-platinum catalyst formula, an ultra-thin yet highly durable proton exchange membrane, and bipolar plates with 30% improved corrosion resistance.

• Direct current power consumption <4.3 kWh/Nm³, with a voltage consistency deviation of <40 mV, positioning the system at the forefront of global efficiency standards.

3. Comprehensive Quality Validation

• Short-stack field testing confirmed that all key metrics, including cell voltage,                  current density, and hydrogen purity, meet or exceed industry benchmarks.

• Economic Benefits: Localization of materials has reduced overall costs by 30%, while improved H₂ in O₂ purity has minimized hydrogen losses by approximately 15%.

• Social Impact: Provides a safe and reliable domestic hydrogen solution for refueling stations, green hydrogen production for the chemical industry, and energy storage applications, contributing to China’s carbon peaking and carbon neutrality (“dual-carbon”) goals.

Client Testimonial

“AihyTech’s PEM electrolyzer has exceeded our expectations, achieving world-class H₂ in O₂ purity levels while being fully manufactured with domestic materials. This project has eliminated our long-standing concerns about supply chain security and serves as a crucial technological foundation for future gigawatt-scale green hydrogen projects.”

— Project Director, China Energy Engineering Corporation