On August 26, 2025, the kickoff meetingfor Guangdong Province’skey R&D program titled "Split-Type Modular Desalination-Free Direct Seawater Electrolysis Technology for Hydrogen Production and System Equipment Project," under the "New Energy Storage and New Energy" category, was held at Shenzhen University.
In alignment with China's medium- and long-term hydrogen energy development plan and the national Dual Carbon Strategy, this project focuses on breakthroughs in core technologies and equipment for efficient, highly compatible, and stable direct seawater hydrogen production. The project follows a framework encompassing principle validation, material design, device engineering, process innovation, system integration, and application demonstration, aiming to build the world's first 110 Nm3/h desalination-free direct seawater electrolysis system for hydrogen production. It seeks to establish a comprehensive innovation pathway for marine green hydrogen—from original principles and disruptive technologies to domestically produced equipment and a unique industrial model for electrolytic hydrogen production. This will maintain global leadership in desalination-free direct seawater hydrogen production and create a new strategic sector for marine green hydrogen with Chinese characteristics.
Academician Xie Heping, the project lead, delivered a detailed presentation covering the project overview, organizational management, implementation schedule, expected outcomes, evaluation criteria, and supporting measures. Experts attending the meeting conducted a thorough review of the project's main research content, innovations, and implementation plan.
After discussion, the expert panel concluded that the proposed plan aligns with the project plan, features clear milestones and task distribution, and presents a sound technical roadmap. The panel unanimously approved the feasibility of the implementation plan.
The "Split-Type Modular Desalination-Free In-Situ Direct Seawater Electrolysis Technology for Hydrogen Production and Its Application" project brings together top research institutions, industry enterprises, and top domestic R&D teams. Through its execution, the project aims to achieve efficient and stable large-scale desalination-free in-situ direct seawater electrolysis for hydrogen production, even under unpredictable marine conditions. It will significantly advance China's pioneering industrialization of novel desalination-free in-situ direct seawater electrolysis for hydrogen production.
