Shell has started production of green hydrogen at 20 MW capacity Zhangjiakou City, 180 km from Beijing. The facility is one of the largest electrolysers in the world for green hydrogen, powered by onshore wind farms, is sufficient to power half of the 600 fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) used by the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
Hydrogen fuel cell electric Mirai and Coaster bus will be part of 2022 Beijing Winter Oylmpics' fleet
The project is part of a joint venture between Shell China and Zhangjiakou City Transport Construction Investment Holding Group Co. Ltd, formed in November 2020. The 20 megawatts (MW) power-to-hydrogen electrolyser and hydrogen refuelling stations in Zhangjiakou are phase 1 of the joint venture. The companies have plans to scale up to 60 MW in the next two years in phase 2.
This Foton FCEV bus uses fuel cell tech from Toyota
Post Winter Olympics, the green hydrogen generated will be used for public and commercial transport in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.
“The hydrogen industry is critical for Zhangjiakou’s transition to low-carbon energy and to achieve the city’s carbon peak and carbon neutrality targets. The recent approval of the Hebei Fuel Cell Vehicle Demonstration City Cluster, which is led by our city, will also accelerate the development of the hydrogen industry in our city,” said Bai Jing, Director, Zhangjiakou Municipal Development and Reform Commission. “This project will help secure hydrogen supply for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and make it a green one while contribute to the development of hydrogen industry in the city and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.”
“We are glad to contribute to China’s progress towards its commitment for a carbon-neutral Olympic Games, and in the longer term for its 2030 and 2060 carbon targets,” said Jason Wong, Executive Chairman of Shell Companies in China. “With project phase 2 expansion plans and through partnerships with the local government and businesses, we will support the development of a low-carbon energy system and low-carbon transport system in Zhangjiakou and the wider Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.”
In 2015, Zhangjiakou city was identified by the China State Council as the country’s first and only National Renewable Energy Demonstration Zone to explore pathways to accelerate energy transition and innovations in renewables sector.
Like the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, China wants to use the 2022 Winter Olympics to develop and demonstrate the potential of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.
Even the oylmpic torch is fuelled by hydrogen.
China says FCEVs longer range in cold weather is one of the benefits hydrogen has over battery electric vehicle (BEVs), which China is already a leader in anyway.
Keyword: Shell’s 20 MW green hydrogen facility will power Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics’ FCEVs