Development of Fuel Cell Technology in China

In recent years, China has become one of the largest potential hydrogen fuel cell consumption markets. By 2002, China had 25% of the 164 patents related to fuel cells in the world. The driving force for the development of fuel cells in China comes from China's urgent need to reduce air pollution caused by exhaust gas from cars, buses, gasoline-fueled bicycles and scooters, especially in response to the coming of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. The motivation of developing fuel cells in Taiwan Province Province is similar to that in Chinese mainland, and some driving factors are due to the demand of reducing foreign oil imports and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

In the past 10 years, the sales volume of electric bicycles and scooters in China has increased miraculously, and now the total annual sales volume exceeds 1 10,000 vehicles. In Beijing, Shanghai and other big cities, banning gasoline-fueled bicycles and scooters has stimulated the growth of demand for electric bicycles and scooters. Parkan Fuel Cell Company cooperates with Shanghai Guangming Plastic Company to produce 20,000 proton exchange membrane fuel cells every year. Parkan claims that this product will sell well at a price lower than that in 2005. Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences has been engaged in the research and development of fuel cells for more than 30 years. During 2002-2004, it invested120,000 USD to research and develop 75kW and 150kW hydrogen fuel cells. This kind of battery will be used in a larger automobile market. However, most of the planned hydrogen energy acquisition may come from the reforming of natural gas. UTC Fuel Cell Company has set up a pilot project in a pig farm in southern China to develop fuel cell energy supply by using biogas. In addition, the North-South Institute for Sustainable Development, a non-profit NGO headquartered in Beijing, is engaged in the research and development of renewable hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in Shanghai and other regions.