On July 26, China’s State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) commissioned a major green ammonia facility in Daan, Jilin Province, marking a milestone in the industrial-scale deployment of renewable hydrogen. Integrating wind, solar, storage, electrolysis, and ammonia synthesis, the project sets new global benchmarks across multiple hydrogen technologies.
Global Firsts in Hydrogen Technology
The project sets four world records in green ammonia, marking breakthroughs in scale, system integration, advanced electrolysis, and storage.
- Largest single-site green ammonia production facility: 32,000 tonnes of green hydrogen and 180,000 tonnes of green ammonia per year
- Largest hybrid water electrolysis deployment: 36,000 Nm³/h ALK + 9,600 Nm³/h PEM
- Largest DC-coupled microgrid electrolysis system: 40 MW direct renewable power input
- Largest solid-state hydrogen storage installation: 48,000 Nm³ capacity using titanium-based metal hydrides
These technical milestones are made possible by a proprietary flexible control system that balances intermittent renewable energy with stable industrial output. The project integrates 800 MW of renewable capacity (700 MW wind and 100 MW solar), forming a tightly coupled system that ensures reliable, around-the-clock production.
The facility incorporates a 40 MW/80 MWh battery energy storage system, alongside 60,000 Nm³ of hydrogen storage, of which 48,000 Nm³ is solid-state, utilizing titanium-based metal hydrides.
Notably, the facility has obtained EU low-carbon certification, enabling access to premium export markets such as maritime, fertilizer, and energy.
Core Equipment: High-Performance, Multi-Vendor Supply Chain
Electrolyzers: Leading Chinese Manufacturers Share the Orders
A total of 39 alkaline electrolyzers (1,000 Nm³/h each) were supplied by:
- Sungrow Hydrogen: 12 units plus gas–liquid separation and purification systems
- SANY Hydrogen: 8 units, two 4,000 Nm³/h separation and purification systems
- LONGi Hydrogen: 15 units with integrated separation and purification systems
- CSSC PERIC: 4 complete sets; awarded at a bid price of CNY 30.8 million (~US$4.2 million), approx. CNY 7.16 million (~US$1 million) per set
All units were delivered and installed in May and June 2024.
PEM Electrolysis: MW-Scale Stack Supplied by SPIC Hydrogen
SPIC’s hydrogen subsidiary, SPIC Hydrogen, provided the first MW-scale PEM stack in China to reach stable industrial operation. Its high-performance system features a compact four-in-one design and successfully produced hydrogen on first start-up.
- Contract signed: March 2023
- Contract value: CNY 290 million (~US$40 million)
- Scope: Design, manufacturing, installation, and commissioning
This remains China’s largest PEM electrolysis order to date.
Power Electronics: Integrated Hydrogen Supply from Sungrow
In July 2023, Sungrow Hydrogen also secured the bid to supply twelve 4.5 MW IGBT hydrogen power systems, becoming the only vendor to provide both electrolyzers and power electronics. The integrated solution improves load flexibility and system response to renewable variability.
Hydrogen Storage: Breakthrough in Solid-State Titanium Technology
In June 2025, China Electric Power Engineering Research (Xuzhou) delivered a 48,000 Nm³ titanium-based solid-state hydrogen storage module—China’s first commercial deployment of the technology. Compared to conventional CGH2, its advantages include:
- Enhanced safety: Operates at ambient pressure and temperature, eliminating explosion risks
- Higher volumetric density: ~30% more hydrogen per unit volume
- Long service life: >10,000 cycles for continuous industrial use
- Ultra-high purity: 99.999% hydrogen output, directly compatible with ammonia synthesis
Strategic Implications and Commercial Outlook
As the global hydrogen market evolves rapidly, the SPIC project reflects China’s rapid drive to lead global hydrogen technology and export markets. Notable points:
- Domestic Tech: Nearly all core components are domestically supplied, further strengthening China’s cleantech independence.
- Replicability: Modular electrolyzer and storage systems enable scalable application in projects both in China and abroad.
- Policy Alignment: The project supports China’s dual-carbon targets and hydrogen–ammonia integration strategies outlined in national energy plans.
By linking upstream renewable energy with downstream synthetic fuel production, the project offers a real-world model for countries seeking to decarbonize the ammonia, maritime, and chemical sectors through integrated green hydrogen solutions.