National Energy Group’s "Green Port Hydrogen City" Project Pioneers Low-Carbon Transition

February 14, 2025 — The "Green Port Hydrogen City" project, developed by National Energy Group’s Guohua Investment (Hydrogen Energy Company) Hebei Branch, has obtained China’s first pre-evaluation certificate for green ammonia carbon footprint, marking a milestone in the scientific quantification and certification of green ammonia production domestically. This achievement not only fills a gap in China’s green hydrogen and ammonia certification system but also strengthens the nation’s international influence in hydrogen energy standards, accelerating the green transition of the energy sector.

Project Overview

The "Green Port Hydrogen City" integrates 1.09 GW photovoltaic power and 400 MW wind power, coupled with a 50,000-ton/year green ammonia production facility. The ammonia synthesis process employs alkaline water electrolysis for hydrogen production and cryogenic air separation for nitrogen supply, utilizing multi-steady-state flexible synthesis technology. The entire production chain relies on renewable energy via green power trading, ensuring a carbon-neutral lifecycle for hydrogen and ammonia.

Certification and Standards

The pre-evaluation was conducted by China Hydrogen Alliance Institute, adhering to the globally recognized green hydrogen standards:

• T/CAB 0078-2020 (Standards and Evaluation for Low-Carbon Hydrogen, Clean Hydrogen, and Renewable Hydrogen)
• T/CAB 0319-2023 (Evaluation Methods and Requirements for Hydrogen-Based Green Fuels).
  These standards verify that the project’s hydrogen and ammonia outputs meet the criteria for renewable hydrogen and green ammonia, setting a benchmark for low-carbon transformation in the industry.

Strategic Significance

1. Enhancing International Competitiveness: As global hydrogen market rules remain nascent, China’s self-developed certification system positions it to compete in shaping international standards. The project also aligns with the EU’s Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO) framework, paving the way for future global market access.
2. Driving Carbon Neutrality: Green ammonia, a critical carrier for deep decarbonization in industries and transportation, could be integrated into China’s CCER (China Certified Emission Reduction) market, fostering a market-driven emission reduction mechanism.
3. Economic Incentives: The certification validates the project’s low-carbon attributes, enabling green premium pricing and accelerating commercialization of hydrogen-derived fuels.

Future Prospects

The project’s dual focus on domestic and international certifications exemplifies China’s strategy to lead in green hydrogen economies. By advancing "Hydrogen Pioneer" initiatives, such as electrolyzer performance evaluations, China aims to establish domestic market entry standards while bridging gaps with global frameworks.

• Figure 1: Pre-evaluation certificates for green hydrogen and ammonia issued to the "Green Port Hydrogen City" project.

• Figure 2: Renderings of the green ammonia production facility.

This breakthrough underscores National Energy Group’s commitment to innovation in sustainable energy and sets a precedent for large-scale green chemical production worldwide.

Source:ChinaHydrogenAlliance