Views: 101119 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2024-12-31 Origin: Site
>In December 2024, the global hydrogen industry experienced significant advancements. The European Commission launched the second round of hydrogen auctions totaling 12 billion euros, while Oman and Belgium signed a historic collaboration agreement in the field of green hydrogen.
Meanwhile, China unveiled the "Implementation Plan for the Application of Clean and Low-Carbon Hydrogen in the Industrial Sector" to promote sustainable solutions in hydrogen usage.
Simultaneously, the global demand for hydrogen continues to rise, with membrane
compressors playing a crucial role in the storage and transportation of hydrogen. These compressors are undergoing technological advancements and performance improvements that are essential for the commercialization of hydrogen energy.
01 Intensive Release of International Hydrogen Energy Policies and Investments
In December 2024, the global hydrogen energy sector saw a surge in policies and investment initiatives, injecting a strong momentum into industry development.
The European Commission launched the second round of auctions for the European Hydrogen Bank, with a budget of up to 12 billion euros, aimed at supporting renewable non-biological source hydrogen production across the entire European Economic Area. This initiative, part of the Innovation Fund, will significantly boost the production of renewable hydrogen, crucial for Europe's energy transition strategy.
On the other side of the Atlantic, Oman and Belgium signed a memorandum of understanding on December 6 to enhance cooperation in the field of green hydrogen energy. The agreement, signed by Oman Hydrogen Company and the Belgian Hydrogen Council, lays the foundation for collaboration along the entire hydrogen value chain.
Oman's Minister of Energy and Minerals, Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi, stated that this partnership will combine Oman's potential as a hub for green hydrogen production with Belgium's strategic role as a gateway to the European market.
Not to be outdone, Asia also made significant strides, with three Chinese ministries jointly releasing the "Implementation Plan for Accelerating Clean and Low-Carbon Hydrogen Applications in the Industrial Sector" on December 30. This plan focuses on various applications such as clean and low-carbon hydrogen substitution, hydrogen metallurgy, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, outlining 30 specific tasks.
02 The technology of diaphragm compressors continues to make breakthroughs
Furthermore, in 2024, membrane compressor technology, a key equipment in the hydrogen energy industry, witnessed several innovative breakthroughs.
This technology provides solid support for the commercial application of hydrogen energy, with its characteristics of non-polluting compression media, good sealing, high compression efficiency, and ease of achieving high-pressure compression.
The average lifespan of Lontrex membranes can exceed 8000 hours, far surpassing the industry standard of over 2000 hours, while the energy efficiency index can reach as low as 0.15 kW/(m³/h), significantly below the industry standard of 0.43 kW/(m³/h).
03 The global hydrogen energy market has a bright future
Despite facing challenges, the global hydrogen energy market continues to show growth, with ample room for future development.
According to data from the International Energy Agency, global demand for hydrogen is projected to reach nearly 100 million tons by 2024, a 2% increase from 2023, aligning closely with overall energy demand growth rates. This growth is primarily being driven by traditional sectors such as oil refining and industry, with emerging applications accounting for less than 1% of the total demand.
A report co-authored by the International Hydrogen Council and McKinsey reveals that over $110 billion has already been invested in more than 500 clean hydrogen projects worldwide. In the past year alone, $35 billion in new projects have been initiated, with an annual investment growth rate exceeding 50% since 2020.
Ivana Jemelkova, CEO of the Hydrogen Council, asserts, "If anyone claims that hydrogen is a dying industry, I can present over 500 examples to prove otherwise." Currently, the global hydrogen production capacity stands at 1 million tons, with an additional 5 million tons under construction, equivalent to half of the current hydrogen consumption in the United States.
Although green hydrogen production is expected to increase by 10% to reach 1 million tons by 2025, its share in the global production remains below 1%. Based on existing projects, the potential green hydrogen production by 2030 is anticipated to decrease slightly, with industry plans indicating an annual potential production of around 37 million tons.
04 The application scenarios for hydrogen energy are continuously expanding
In December 2024, the application scenarios for hydrogen continue to diversify, penetrating deeper into industries such as industrial, transportation, and energy sectors. The industrial sector has emerged as a crucial battleground for clean and low-carbon hydrogen applications, with China's "Accelerating the Implementation of Clean and Low-Carbon Hydrogen Applications in the Industrial Sector" outlining advancements in equipment support and technology dissemination by 2027.
Fostering leading enterprises and industrial clusters with strong ecological dominance is a key focus. Lontrex's membrane compression products are widely utilized in hydrogen storage and transportation, providing essential infrastructure support for the proliferation of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Hydrogen storage is gaining increased attention as a vital scalable and flexible resource for long-term energy regulation across various time scales, offering potential for extensive energy transfer within a broad spatial range.
The maritime sector is witnessing a surge in hydrogen-based fuel applications, with over 60 methanol-powered vessels already operational at sea as of June 2025, and nearly 300 vessels on order set to join the fleet. Upgrading infrastructure in strategically located fuel supply ports can cover a significant portion of major trade routes.
05 International Collaboration Driving the Development of Hydrogen Energy
In December 2024, international cooperation in the field of hydrogen energy is growing stronger, with countries coming together through knowledge sharing, technological exchanges, and joint projects to propel the global hydrogen energy industry forward.
On December 12, 2024, the UK hosted the China-UK Clean Energy Cooperation Forum in Manchester. This forum, previously known as the China-UK Hydrogen Energy Cooperation Forum, has expanded its focus from hydrogen energy to encompass the entire spectrum of clean energy.
Consul General Tang Rui of China in Manchester highlighted that the forum aims to provide a broader platform for businesses from both countries to connect and collaborate.
During the forum, Wuhan and Manchester signed a "2025 Cooperation Action Plan" to further deepen their exchanges and cooperation in the clean energy sector.
The collaboration between Oman and Belgium is built on their solid 46-year bilateral relationship, with a particular emphasis on green energy milestones. This includes a 47-year project development agreement between Hydrom and Hyport Duqm, as well as an international alliance between Oman's OQ Alternative Energy and Belgium's DEME to jointly promote the production and export of green hydrogen.
These international collaborations not only facilitate knowledge exchange and technological advancements but also drive the improvement of the global hydrogen energy industry chain by addressing legislative challenges and exploring new research and development opportunities.
With increasing global support for hydrogen energy policies, continued investment inflows, and ongoing technological advancements, the hydrogen energy industry is entering a period of accelerated growth. Membrane compressors, as key equipment in the hydrogen energy industry chain, will play a crucial role in supporting the commercialization of hydrogen energy through technological advancements and performance enhancements.
Looking ahead, as hydrogen energy applications expand and international cooperation deepens, the hydrogen energy industry is poised for rapid development, making significant contributions to global energy transition and climate change mitigation.
