China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation officially launched China’s first methanol-to-hydrogen and hydrogen refueling service station in Dalian, China yesterday.
An upgrade from the previous fueling station offering oil, gas, hydrogen and electric charging. The new integrated complex can produce 1,000 kilograms of hydrogen a day, with a purity of 99.999 percent.
Sinopec’s hydrogen production plant offers a number of advantages including covering less ground and requiring shorter construction time, while utilizing an environmentally friendly process. Through this project, cost savings on the levels of hydrogen production, storage and transportation can be achieved by up to 20%.
This pioneering service station is anticipated to set the path for China’s prominent role in leading global efforts in developing its own energy industry through utilization of green technology solutions.
Methanol-based fuel used as precursor has been identified as viable solution due to dominance that China holds over methanol market with around 60% share globally; significant economic opportunities arise given low transport costs associated with handling methanol compared against those related strictly Hydrogen based solutions.
Ultimately allowing efficient access towards cheaper refueling stations built upon sustainable sources such as methane emissions from livestock farms or natural gas plants. Thus presenting unprecedented potential within Chinese markets moving forward into post pandemic era.
Sinopec Fuel Oil Sales Co., Ltd has built two integrated fueling stations in Dalian’s free trade area, with six more now under construction.
With industry-leading hydrogen production efficiency, automation and intelligent capabilities, Sinopec’s solution is sustainable and green – producing zero solid waste, waste water and tail gas while conserving more energy and consuming less methanol.
Yang Junze, Executive Director of Sinopec Fuel Oil Sales said:
“The launch of the Service Station has showed that distributed methanol-to-hydrogen is the right roadmap for the sustainable development of China’s hydrogen fueling stations, it is a leapfrog development that offers a safe, reliable, green, intelligent, integrated and efficient solution that will contribute to the scaled application of hydrogen energy at lower cost.”
As part of Sinopec’s commitment to becoming China’s No.1 hydrogen energy enterprise, it has built nine hydrogen fuel cell supply centers across China and built the largest number of hydrogen fueling stations in the world.
About the China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation
China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (or Sinopec) is one of the largest integrated energy and chemical companies in China.
Founded Feb 25th 2000, the company has a workforce of nearly 249,000 people and is listed on both the Hong Kong and Shanghai stock exchanges.
The corporation operates primarily in mainland China but also has operations in other countries such as Singapore, Indonesia, Bahrain, Canada, Australia and South Africa.
The Company has registered capital of 326.5 billion yuan and was ranked 5th on the Fortune’s Global 500 List for 2021.
