Source: China Daily | January 29, 2026
In the global race toward energy transition, hydrogen energy has long been recognized as the "ultimate clean energy." However, challenges in storage and transportation have remained a critical bottleneck restricting its large-scale application. Today, this industry-wide challenge has been effectively addressed by Shaanxi Hydrotransformer Energy Technology Co., Ltd. ("Hydrotransformer Energy") through its independently developed ambient-temperature, ambient-pressure liquid hydrogen storage technology.
Leveraging over a decade of research from Xi'an Jiaotong University and empowered by the Qinchuangyuan innovation ecosystem, this technology—widely regarded as a "Chinese solution" for hydrogen storage and transportation, based on Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC)—is bringing affordable hydrogen energy from the laboratory to industrial application, injecting strong momentum into China's green energy transition.
The core challenge of hydrogen storage and transportation lies in the trade-off between safety and cost in traditional technologies. High-pressure gaseous hydrogen storage relies on specialized cylinders, resulting in high transportation costs and safety risks. Cryogenic liquid hydrogen storage requires maintaining extreme temperatures of -253°C, making energy consumption prohibitively expensive for commercial use. Hydrotransformer Energy's solution chemically binds hydrogen into a proprietary organic carrier, forming a stable "hydrogen oil." This carrier is non-flammable and non-explosive, with safety comparable to conventional fuels, and can be stored and transported under ambient conditions via existing logistics systems such as road, rail, and sea—eliminating the need for dedicated pipeline infrastructure and fundamentally resolving the limitations of traditional methods.
Data highlights the robust advantages of this technology. According to Professor Fang Tao, Chairman of the Technical Committee at Hydrotransformer Energy, the volumetric hydrogen storage density reaches 50–60 kg/m³—40% higher than that of 70 MPa high-pressure spherical tanks. Hydrogen release efficiency exceeds 99.5%, and the carrier can be recycled and reused. In terms of cost, traditional high-pressure gaseous hydrogen transport over 500 km costs approximately RMB 23.3/kg, whereas Hydrotransformer Energy's liquid hydrogen solution costs only RMB 7.75/kg for transportation, with total lifecycle costs controlled at RMB 10–11/kg—representing a reduction of over 50%. Compared with similar technologies in Germany and Japan, Hydrotransformer Energy's solution offers greater competitiveness, with milder dehydrogenation conditions and higher hydrogen purity, fully meeting the requirements for fuel cell applications and ranking among the global leading technologies.
Technological breakthroughs are rapidly translating into industrial momentum. Founded in 2021, Hydrotransformer Energy achieved a critical transition from laboratory to industrialization within just three years. In early 2025, the company's kiloton-scale organic hydrogen carrier and catalyst production facility in Binzhou was officially put into operation. Each production unit operates over 8,000 hours annually, with flexible capacity expansion from 10,000 to 50,000 tons per year. The project has become a benchmark for industrializing ambient-condition liquid hydrogen storage technology in China. The company has also established the world's first hundred-ton-scale continuous synthesis unit for nitrogen-heterocyclic hydrogen storage materials, with supporting catalysts achieving 30% higher activity than the industry average, further reducing overall energy consumption.
To date, Hydrotransformer Energy holds nearly 100 key patents and has built a full industrial chain platform covering high-density organic hydrogen carrier development, high-activity hydrogenation/dehydrogenation catalysts, efficient storage and release process design, and advanced equipment manufacturing—providing strong support for large-scale commercialization.
In terms of application scenarios, this "Chinese solution" is expanding across multiple sectors. In transportation, it can provide a stable hydrogen supply for heavy-duty vehicles, significantly extending driving range. In energy storage, it addresses challenges in distributed hydrogen storage and transport, enabling a "green electricity–green hydrogen–green electricity" closed-loop system to support next-generation power systems. In industry, it offers low-carbon hydrogen solutions for sectors such as chemicals and metallurgy, facilitating cross-regional allocation of industrial by-product hydrogen and supporting carbon reduction goals. Globally, the technology enables long-distance, transoceanic hydrogen transport, opening new pathways for international hydrogen trade, with ongoing technical exchanges already underway with overseas clients.
The rapid growth of Hydrotransformer Energy is driven by the synergy between scientific research and capital, as well as the comprehensive support of the Qinchuangyuan innovation ecosystem. The company collaborates with leading universities such as Xi'an Jiaotong University to continuously develop advanced hydrogen carriers and non-precious metal catalysts, the latter achieving lifespans exceeding 10,000 hours and reducing energy consumption per unit by 15%–20%. Backed by investments totaling hundreds of millions of RMB from institutions including Sequoia China and over RMB 100 million in Series A financing, the company has secured strong financial support for R&D, manufacturing, and market expansion. It has also led the establishment of a provincial-level technology innovation consortium and taken the lead in drafting industry technical standards, promoting the transition from enterprise standards to industry-wide standards.
As a benchmark enterprise in Northwest China's new energy sector, Hydrotransformer Energy has been listed for two consecutive years on the GEI China Potential Unicorns list and has received multiple honors, including "China Sci-Tech Future Star Enterprise" and "KPMG China Top 50 New Energy Technology Companies."
"Making affordable hydrogen energy accessible to every household" is the company's mission and vision. Wang Bin, Chairman of Hydrotransformer Energy, stated: "Looking ahead, we will continue to deepen our expertise in ambient-temperature, ambient-pressure liquid hydrogen storage technology, advance large-scale production capacity, explore integrated applications of 'green electricity + green hydrogen,' and build a hydrogen energy supply network across transportation, industry, energy storage, and public services."
Rooted in the fertile innovation ecosystem of Qinchuangyuan, this "Chinese solution" from Shaanxi is poised not only to drive high-quality development of China's hydrogen energy industry but also to contribute Chinese wisdom and Shaanxi strength to the global energy transition.
(Reported by Qin Feng, China Daily Shaanxi Bureau; Intern: Han Boxuan)
(Editor: Chen Qiujing)
