世纪难题被破解！中国攻克海水制氢，外媒：石油要变“廉价货”？

Core Insights - The global research community has been exploring seawater hydrogen production as a clean fuel alternative to fossil fuels, but challenges such as high costs and efficiency have hindered progress [2][5] Group 1: Technological Advancements - A team led by Academician Xie Heping in China has developed a method to directly electrolyze seawater without the traditional desalination step, utilizing phase transition technology [5][9] - The first offshore trial of this technology, named "Dongfu No. 1," demonstrated stable hydrogen output with a purity of 99.9% and a cost of 0.4 yuan per cubic meter, significantly cheaper than coal-based hydrogen [7][9] - In 2025, a 250 kW seawater hydrogen production system was tested, achieving a direct current consumption of 3.8 kWh per cubic meter of hydrogen with a purity of 99.999% [11] Group 2: Industry Impact - The hydrogen demand in China is projected to exceed 10 million tons by 2030, positioning the country as a major player in the hydrogen industry [11] - The successful integration of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, with seawater electrolysis addresses water scarcity issues and enhances the feasibility of hydrogen production in coastal areas [9][11] - International media has highlighted China's advancements in seawater hydrogen production, suggesting a potential shift in the global energy landscape, particularly concerning oil prices [13][15] Group 3: Market Dynamics - In 2023, global hydrogen production reached 97 million tons, with low emissions accounting for less than 1%, while China's electrolyzer manufacturing capacity doubled to 25 GW, representing 60% of the global market [15] - The technology's ability to utilize seawater directly could alleviate water shortages in arid regions, making it a viable solution for countries facing water scarcity [15] - The rapid development of hydrogen technology in China contrasts with Japan's earlier investments, which faced higher production costs, indicating a competitive edge for China in the hydrogen market [15]