On September 27, 2023, the completion ceremony for the steady and transient characteristics test platform of an 8MW large alkaline electrolysis hydrogen production unit took place with great pomp at Beijing Electric Equipment Factory. A discussion and exchange meeting was also held in conjunction with the event. Leaders and representatives from China Energy Construction Group, China Standardization Research Institute, National Hydrogen Standardization Committee, Fangshan District Development and Reform Commission, North China Power Design Institute, Hydrogen Energy Company of China Energy Engineering Group, Department of Electrical Engineering and Applied Electronics (EEA) of Tsinghua University, Tsinghua Sichuan Institute, and other organizations attended the event.

Group photo at the completion ceremony

The completion ceremony was presided over by Zeng Junde, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and General Manager of Beijing Electric Equipment Factory. Pei Aiguo, General Manager of the Technology Information Equipment Division of China Energy Engineering Group, Professor Kang Chongqing, Dean of EEA and President of Tsinghua Sichuan Energy Internet Research Institute, and Bao Wei, Secretary General of the National Hydrogen Standardization Technical Committee, provided introductions on topics such as China Energy Engineering Group’s innovation and development, the layout of the hydrogen energy business, the advanced and innovative features of the test platform, and the revision of the alkaline electrolysis hydrogen production standards.

Yang Yuemin, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and General Manager of China Energy Engineering Equipment Corporation, and Chairman of the Board and Secretary of the Party Committee of Beijing Electric Equipment Factory, delivered a speech upon the completion of the project, expressing their commitment to establishing a comprehensive third-party test service system based on the newly built 8MW large alkaline electrolysis hydrogen production unit test platform, and to conduct standardized test.

Speeches by leaders

Following the ceremony, the guests toured the hydrogen production workshop, control room, power electronics testing hall, special industrial steam turbine factory, and electrolysis tank assembly workshop.

During the discussion and exchange meeting, representatives from Tsinghua Sichuan Energy Internet Research Institute and Beijing Electric Equipment Factory delivered reports titled “Standards and Testing Exploration for Steady and Transient Characteristics Testing of Large-Scale Alkaline Electrolysis Hydrogen Systems” and “Current Status and Layout of Electrolysis Hydrogen Equipment Research and Manufacturing”, respectively. The participants engaged in discussions about the current status and trends in the hydrogen energy industry, the requirements and development of the electrolysis hydrogen standard system.

Visit and discussion

The test platform

This test platform was jointly established by Beijing Electric Equipment Factory, Tsinghua University, and Tsinghua Sichuan Institute. With support from the National Key Research and Development Program and the National Energy Storage Equipment and System Integration Technology Research Center, EEA and Tsinghua Sichuan Institute pioneered the development of standards for the steady and transient performance of low-temperature electrolysis hydrogen, as well as testing methods. They also established the quality grading and “leading runner” evaluation requirements for alkaline electrolysis hydrogen equipment. Based on these leading standards and regulations, they independently designed, constructed, and commissioned a testing and evaluation platform for alkaline electrolysis hydrogen production units capable of producing 1,000 to 1,500 standard cubic meters of hydrogen per hour. The platform is geared toward typical applications of new energy electricity, featuring an innovative comprehensive monitoring and safety protection system for the electrolysis system. It boasts a high level of safety, strong dynamic and static expansion capabilities, and rich testing indicators, making it a leader in the industry for hydrogen production unit performance testing. The establishment of this test platform will standardize the operational testing procedures for existing large electrolysis hydrogen production units and provide quantitative guidance for the selection and design optimization of hydrogen equipment for national large-scale power energy bases.

EEA and Tsinghua Sichuan Institute will adhere to innovation and actively explore low-carbon transformation paths, plan the layout of the green hydrogen industry chain, and use new technologies for power-hydrogen coupling to support the construction of a new type of power system, thereby providing strong support for achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals.