China has made significant progress in hydrogen production technology with a successful test of its direct seawater electrolysis method.

The test, conducted at the Xinghua Bay offshore wind farm in Fujian Province, demonstrated the feasibility of producing hydrogen directly from seawater. The groundbreaking achievement was verified by a team of experts from the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), marking a significant milestone in the global pursuit of sustainable energy solutions.

The test utilized Dongfu No. 1, a floating offshore platform specifically designed for hydrogen production. Developed jointly by a team led by CAE academician Xie Heping and Dongfang Electric Corporation, the platform integrates multiple systems, including in situ hydrogen production, intelligent energy conversion management, and safety detection and control systems. This pioneering platform is the world’s first to combine renewable energy sources, as stated by the Sichuan-based enterprise, which is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of power-generating equipment.

During the test, the Dongfu No. 1 platform demonstrated remarkable stability, enduring force eight wind speeds, one-meter-high waves, and even a rainstorm for more than 240 hours. This successful performance under challenging conditions is a testament to the platform’s resilience and suitability for real-world applications.

Seawater, abundant in hydrogen gas, poses various technical challenges for electrolytic hydrogen production due to its complex composition. With over 90 chemical elements, microorganisms, and suspended particles, seawater introduces issues such as corrosion, toxicity, catalyst inactivation, and low electrolytic efficiency. Previous methods relied on large-scale desalination equipment, making the process cumbersome, land-intensive, and costly.

However, the direct electrolysis of seawater for hydrogen production has long been elusive, as the complex components of seawater hindered the efficiency of electrolytic systems. Existing water electrolysis technologies primarily rely on ultrapure freshwater. The breakthrough achieved by academician Xie and his team overcomes this obstacle by developing a method capable of isolating and managing the influence of the more than 90 complex elements and microorganisms in seawater, revolutionizing traditional hydrogen production methods.

This direct seawater electrolysis strategy, when combined with offshore wind power, holds immense potential to reshape the global energy landscape. By leveraging the abundant resources of the oceans and eliminating the need for desalination, this innovation could significantly enhance the scalability and sustainability of hydrogen production. The integration of renewable energy sources, such as offshore wind farms, allows for a cleaner and more efficient hydrogen production process, paving the way for a greener future.

The significance of this achievement has garnered international recognition. The study detailing the breakthrough was published in the prestigious journal Nature on November 30, 2022. Furthermore, China’s Ministry of Science and Technology listed it as one of the top 10 scientific advances of 2022 in March, underscoring its importance in advancing the frontiers of science and technology.