Kylin Technology Advances in Both ALK and PEM Routes

Original Source: Shiyin Energy Chain, 2022-05-11 12:00

With the "intense competition" in the market for hydrogen production equipment through water electrolysis, the veteran player Kylin Technology is seizing the large-scale electrolytic hydrogen production market by simultaneously deploying "PEM+ALK" strategies.

The green hydrogen industry is rising, and water electrolysis for hydrogen production has become the current trend. Against this backdrop, many companies have entered the fray to seize opportunities. As a veteran player deeply rooted in the field of water electrolysis for hydrogen production, Shenzhen Kylin Technology Co., Ltd. (abbreviated as Kylin Technology) is making strong moves to seize the opportunities.

Kylin Technology is a high-tech company specializing in research in the field of green clean energy, focusing on high-end hydrogen production equipment development and comprehensive hydrogen energy solutions. It has obtained dozens of invention patents and monographs, established a research and development center in Europe, and jointly established laboratories with scientific research institutions such as Zhejiang University of Technology to conduct scientific research.

Shiyin Energy Chain has learned that Kylin Technology now has a full range of alkaline hydrogen production equipment from 2 to 1000 Nm³/h, with a complete product line and a production plant in Fuxin, Liaoning, with an annual production capacity of approximately 300 MW. According to Kylin Technology, in the second half of 2022, there will be new breakthroughs in both products and production capacity.

In terms of products, Kylin Technology plans to launch a single-cell 2000 Nm³/h alkaline electrolyzer in the second half of the year, featuring high current density with a rated operating current density of 8000-9000 A/m², reaching a maximum of 13500 A/m². It adopts a full resin frame, with its weight and volume being 1/5 of traditional alkaline electrolyzers. It weighs 29-30 tons, has a length of 3.4-3.5 meters, and a diameter of approximately 2.1 meters, with dimensions comparable to domestic traditional 500 Nm³/h alkaline electrolyzers.

In terms of production capacity, Kylin Technology plans to plan a new production plant in the second half of the year (to be launched after fundraising is completed), located in the Yangtze River Delta region. The designed production capacity for the first phase is approximately 500 MW/year, and the second and third phases will be developed based on later demand, with plans to expand production capacity to the gigawatt level.

With the continuous improvement of PEM electrolysis hydrogen production technology, Kylin Technology is also making moves in PEM electrolysis hydrogen production equipment while deeply cultivating alkaline electrolyzer technology.

Kylin Technology stated that the company now has the design and production capabilities for 1-1000 Nm³/h PEM hydrogen production equipment. It has already achieved PEM water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment within 10 standard cubic meters and plans to launch a single 20-cubic-meter PEM electrolyzer in October this year, followed by a single PEM electrolyzer of over 50 cubic meters in March next year, and plans to launch larger single PEM electrolyzers at an opportune time.

Excellent products are inseparable from technological support. According to Kylin Technology, its core advantages mainly lie in the following aspects:

High current density. The current density of traditional electrolyzers is mostly around 3000 A/m², while Kylin Technology's electrolyzers can achieve a rated operating current density of 8000-9000 A/m² and a maximum current density of up to 13500 A/m².

High dynamic response. It can achieve a load fluctuation of 10%-110% within 30 seconds, and the load rise and fall rate can reach 3%-5% per second.

Wide operating range of loads. The lowest operating load of traditional alkaline electrolyzers is 40%-50%, while Kylin Technology can achieve a working load range of 10%-110%.

Low power consumption. Power consumption varies with the increase in current density and different loads. Within the load range of 10%-100%, the test power consumption of Kylin Technology's electrolyzers is between 3.8-4.6 kWh/Nm³.

Small Size. The volume of the electrolyzer is closely related to the current density. Kylin Technology's alkaline electrolyzer boasts a high current density, resulting in a volume and weight that are one-fifth of traditional alkaline electrolyzers. This allows for skid-mounted installations with a capacity of over 500 cubic meters.

Dual Variable Frequency Mode. When producing hydrogen, Kylin Technology's electrolyzer can automatically adjust the hydrogen production volume based on the working environment and hydrogen demand. In terms of power input, it can also adjust the gas production according to fluctuations in incoming electricity.

High dynamic response and a wide load operating range enable Kylin's alkaline electrolyzer to rival PEM electrolyzers in performance, facilitating better off-grid coupling with renewable energy sources.

Kylin Technology also states that their alkaline electrolysis hydrogen production equipment belongs to alkaline technology in terms of working principles, but differs significantly from traditional equipment in terms of materials, structure, and processes. Its performance is now close to PEM hydrogen production equipment.

The establishment of dual-carbon goals and the determination of national hydrogen energy top-level design have propelled the hydrogen energy industry into a high-speed development period. In response, Kylin Technology is actively embracing these new changes.

Kylin Technology has disclosed to TrendBank that the company will focus on three aspects:

At the market level, as a provider of water electrolysis equipment, Kylin Technology not only provides customers with corresponding equipment but also offers advice to help them identify hydrogen consumption scenarios. Meanwhile, the company favors hydrogen production and hydrogenation integrated stations and will actively engage with relevant enterprises. In addition to maintaining existing businesses, Kylin Technology will expand into decentralized hydrogen production and related application areas, such as building photovoltaic power generation equipment in chemical parks or factories for on-site hydrogen production and consumption.

At the technical level, Kylin Technology has launched the development of its next-generation products. The company has highlighted two main focuses for the next-generation products: modularizing the electrolysis chamber, which facilitates the transportation of electrolyzers and makes subsequent large-scale maintenance more convenient; and expanding the single-unit hydrogen production scale, which effectively reduces unit costs and reduces the number of hydrogen production equipment required in subsequent large-scale hydrogen production projects.

At the corporate level, Kylin Technology is currently seeking financing and plans to build new production facilities in the future. In addition, the company has disclosed that they are currently negotiating projects with central enterprises, state-owned enterprises, and large listed companies.

Despite the rapid development of the green hydrogen industry, there are still issues that cannot be ignored. Kylin Technology, with years of experience in the alkaline hydrogen production equipment field, has a clear understanding of these issues.

Kylin Technology believes that the main issues in the green hydrogen industry are hydrogen storage and transportation, as well as the off-grid coupling of hydrogen production equipment with renewable energy sources.

The problem of hydrogen storage and transportation is not only a challenge for the green hydrogen industry but also for the entire hydrogen energy industry. However, breakthroughs in this area will help open up more hydrogen energy application scenarios.

Regarding the off-grid coupling of hydrogen production equipment and renewable energy sources, PEM hydrogen production equipment, due to its high dynamic response and wide load operating range, can better couple with renewable energy sources. This is one of the reasons why many investment institutions favor PEM hydrogen production, but its price, which is 5 to 7 times higher than alkaline electrolyzers, is its biggest pain point.

Apart from the above two issues, Kylin Technology has also mentioned hydrogen consumption. Although the current production capacity of hydrogen production equipment in the market cannot meet the demand for renewable energy hydrogen production projects, factors such as the pandemic and project complexity have led to slow progress in many projects, providing electrolyzer manufacturers with an opportunity to expand their production capacity.

It is worth mentioning that on June 21-22, 2022, TrendBank will co-host the "2022 TrendBank Green Hydrogen Industry Conference" with Shumuxingchuang in Daxing District, Beijing.

The conference will feature two parallel sub-forums on "Market and Supply Chain" and "Academia and Research and Development," covering topics such as green hydrogen applications, production, and water electrolysis equipment. Leaders and experts from government departments, industrial groups, upstream and downstream enterprises, academic institutions, and financial investment units will be invited to discuss green hydrogen development strategies and industrial layouts to accelerate the development of the hydrogen energy industry!