China Overtakes Japan in Green Hydrogen Patents, Increasing Concerns for Future

China has surpassed Japan in green hydrogen patents, according to Astamuse. The rapid growth is due to heavy investments and a national strategy that prioritizes hydrogen production. While Japan responds with subsidies and international collaborations, the cost advantages in China could enable dominance in hydrogen vehicles if no substantial advancements occur elsewhere.

As China’s hydrogen sector surges, it seems to be leaving Japan in the dust. According to a recent report from Japanese research firm Astamuse, Chinese companies are now leading globally in low-carbon hydrogen-related patents. This shift signals a significant turning point in the competition for clean energy dominance, especially in light of growing applications for green hydrogen in transportation.

Astamuse’s analysis, which covered around 180,000 green hydrogen patents filed between 2013 and 2022, demonstrates that Chinese firms not only lead in overall competitiveness but excel in crucial categories like production, storage, and transport. This is a remarkable shift, as a similar study from 2011 to 2020 had Japan in the lead. Since China set its carbon peak targets in 2020, it has doubled its annual patent filings compared to Japan.

China’s ambitious national hydrogen strategy, launched in 2022, elevated hydrogen to a status on par with renewable energy. The plan was to ramp up annual green hydrogen output to 100,000-200,000 tons by 2025, but those targets have already been exceeded. In contrast, Japan’s hydrogen strategy, although introduced earlier, has yet to match China’s speed and investment in its hydrogen industry.

The sheer volume of patents originating from China has dramatically reduced the cost of hydrogen production equipment, which now stands at only 25% of the comparable cost in Europe. This cost advantage has fed a robust local demand for hydrogen. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that China is now the largest hydrogen market in the world, supplying 30% of the global demand.

Chinese giants like LONGi are utilizing their existing strengths in the solar and wind sectors to make significant advances in the green hydrogen domain. Zhang Xiaoguang, Chief Advisor at Daiwa Research Institute, explains that these companies are strategically expanding their capacity—not necessarily for profit but to capture market share.

As this competitive landscape develops, it appears that hydrogen-powered vehicles could fall under China’s sphere of influence. Mitsumasa Yamagata, President of Toyota’s Hydrogen Business Unit, acknowledged that China is already leading in hydrogen truck infrastructure, with fuel costs approximately a third lower than those in Japan. Without increased investment from other nations, Chinese firms may replicate their electric vehicle success in hydrogen technology.

Japan is currently reacting to this challenge by providing subsidies aimed at bridging the cost gap between hydrogen and fossil fuels. Additionally, collaborations with the United States and South Korea are underway to foster advanced hydrogen technologies. Simultaneously, the European Union is contemplating measures to limit the use of Chinese components in domestic hydrogen projects to protect its industries.

In essence, China has rapidly advanced beyond Japan in the realm of green hydrogen innovation, particularly in the patent landscape. With significant investments and strategic government backing, China’s dominance presents a formidable challenge to Japan and the rest of the world. As competitiveness in hydrogen applications, especially in transportation, intensifies, swift action from other countries may be required to counter China’s expanding influence in this pivotal energy sector.

Original Source: reccessary.com