The 33rd China International Exhibition on Electric Power Equipment and Technology
Shanghai International Energy Storage Technology Application Expo / Hydrogen Energy Expo
A hydrogen generator is a compact, self-contained unit that produces hydrogen on demand at the point of use, typically through water electrolysis (alkaline or PEM) or through reforming of natural gas or methanol. On-site hydrogen generators eliminate the logistics, safety risks, and cost of hydrogen cylinder delivery, making them attractive for laboratories, fuel cell vehicle refuelling stations, industrial processes, and backup power systems. Electrolyser-based generators range from small laboratory units producing a few litres per hour to large industrial units producing thousands of Nm3/hour. In China, domestic manufacturers have rapidly developed cost-competitive electrolyser-based hydrogen generators, driving adoption across industrial, energy, and transport applications.
5 Key Questions About Hydrogen Generator (制氢机)
The main types are: (1) Water electrolysis generators — using alkaline, PEM, or solid oxide electrolysis to split water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity, producing the purest hydrogen (99.999%+) with no carbon emissions when powered by renewable electricity; (2) Steam methane reformers (SMR) — compact units that reform natural gas with steam to produce hydrogen, suitable for applications where natural gas is available and carbon emissions are acceptable; (3) Methanol reformers — reforming methanol with water to produce hydrogen, used in portable and backup power applications; (4) Ammonia crackers — decomposing ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen, useful where ammonia supply is available.
PEM electrolysis generators typically produce hydrogen at 99.999% purity (5N grade) directly from the electrolyser, meeting the ISO 14687 Grade D specification required for fuel cells. Alkaline electrolysers produce hydrogen at 99.5–99.9% purity that requires additional purification (typically PSA or catalytic deoxygenation) to reach fuel cell grade. For laboratory and analytical applications, hydrogen generators can produce 99.9999% (6N) purity hydrogen. The high purity of on-site electrolytic hydrogen eliminates the contamination risks associated with cylinder hydrogen supply.
On-site hydrogen generators serve diverse applications: analytical laboratories (gas chromatography carrier gas, zero-air generators); electronics manufacturing (semiconductor fabrication, float glass production); food processing (hydrogenation of edible oils); metallurgy (heat treatment atmospheres, direct reduction of iron ore); power generation (generator cooling in large turbines); fuel cell vehicle refuelling stations (on-site production eliminating delivery logistics); and backup power systems (hydrogen fuel cells for data centres and telecom towers). The elimination of cylinder handling and delivery costs is a key economic driver across all applications.
Hydrogen generators powered by renewable electricity are a key component of power-to-hydrogen systems that store surplus renewable energy as hydrogen. On-site generators at refuelling stations can be powered by co-located solar panels, producing green hydrogen directly at the point of dispensing. Industrial hydrogen generators can be configured to increase production when renewable electricity is cheap and abundant, providing demand flexibility that helps balance the grid. Smart control systems optimise generator operation based on electricity price signals, renewable generation forecasts, and hydrogen demand patterns.
The cost of on-site hydrogen generation depends primarily on electricity cost and electrolyser capital cost. At an electricity price of RMB 0.3/kWh and a PEM electrolyser consuming 55 kWh/kg, electricity alone costs RMB 16.5/kg. Adding capital cost amortisation, water, and maintenance, total production costs for small-scale on-site generation are typically RMB 30–60/kg — comparable to or slightly above delivered cylinder hydrogen costs for small consumers. For larger-scale on-site generation (>100 kg/day), costs decline significantly due to economies of scale and the elimination of delivery and cylinder rental costs.
Key Takeaways
Distributed photovoltaics—rooftop and building-integrated solar systems—represent the fastest-growing segment of China's renewable energy market. With supportive policies and declining costs, DPV is transforming buildings from passive energy consumers into active generators. EP Shanghai showcases the latest DPV technologies and connects installers with component suppliers, financing partners, and grid connection service providers.
Firefox
Chrome
Safari
QQ
Edge