Hydrogen Energy: China-made hydrogen refuelling machines contribute to Paris Olympics and Sichuan Province’s green goals.
Hydrogen-powered vehicles are ferrying athletes around competition venues at the Paris Olympics. The cars are filled by refuelling equipment made in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province. Zhao Chenchen visits the company that produces the technology.
ZHAO CHENCHEN Chengdu, Sichuan Province:
What you are seeing here is not simply a gas station.
“The equipment here is pumping hydrogen into the tanks of trucks and buses that run on hydrogen fuel cells, a clean and efficient power source.”
Meanwhile, on the other side of the globe, eight more hydrogen refuelling machines similar to these, are powering cars in Paris for the Olympic Games.
LIU XING Vice President, Houpu Clean Energy Group:
Yes, this batch of equipment is indeed distinctive.
“They not only meet China’s technical standards but have also obtained European certification. Our equipment was utilized at three major sporting events, and performed very well. For the Paris Olympics, the selection of our equipment reflects the recognition by our clients.”
ZHAO CHENCHEN Chengdu, Sichuan Province:
“Right behind me, more hydrogen refuelling equipment sets are being assembled and tested before they are ready to be exported to Canada, Australia, and France. This facility has produced and supplied more than 100 such sets to hydrogen stations worldwide.”
LIU XING Vice President, Houpu Clean Energy Group:
“Developed countries share the same high level of awareness and commitment to green energy and low-carbon practices as China does. In fact, the development of hydrogen energy in Europe is quite advanced, and we continue to receive a steady stream of orders from there.”
Hydrogen energy is seen as key to the green transition in the transportation sector, which emits the second or third largest share of carbon dioxide emissions globally.
Given the high energy demands of heavy-duty, long-haul transportation, these are especially well-suited for conversion into hydrogen energy. But the path to widespread commercial application is lined with challenges.
CHEN WEIRONG Dean, School of Electrical Engineering Southwest Jiaotong University:
Hydrogen energy’s application in rail transit, such as converting from oil to hydrogen, is technically mature and poses no issues in engineering application.
“But there’s a need to strengthen our technical specifications, standards and management measures. Additionally, basic infrastructure, like hydrogen refuelling facilities, requires further enhancement.”
To foster the broad adoption of hydrogen energy, more policies are being discussed at the provincial and local levels. In Sichuan Province, hydrogen-powered vehicles, fitted with electronic toll collection devices, are expected to be exempt from expressway tolls. Companies say favorable policies, coupled with promising market demand, adds significant momentum to their investments in research and development, contributing to the world’s carbon neutrality goals. For CGTN, Zhao Chenchen in Sichuan Province.
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Hydrogen Energy: China-made hydrogen refuelling machines contribute to Paris Olympics and Sichuan Province’s green goals. source
