China’s hydrogen-fuel future in 2060, with the left-hand facet panel exhibiting the evolution of hydrogen manufacturing combine from 2020–2060 and the right-hand facet panel exhibiting the hydrogen consumption construction. Credit score: Wang et al
A examine explores the function of platinum in shaping the way forward for inexperienced hydrogen improvement in China. Hydrogen gas is one in every of China’s key methods to realize nationwide vitality safety and carbon neutrality. Hydrogen is predicted to offer greater than 10% of China’s complete vitality provide by 2050, and the nation has introduced greater than 50 large-scale hydrogen initiatives.
Platinum performs an important function all through the hydrogen worth chain from manufacturing to last consumption, and this scarce steel may very well be a limiting consider China’s enlargement of hydrogen gas use.
Wei-Qiang Chen and colleagues mannequin the potential pathways of China’s hydrogen-fuel business and the corresponding platinum constraints underneath three emissions eventualities. The examine is published within the journal PNAS Nexus.
Within the examine’s fashions, solar- and wind-powered electrolytic hydrogen manufacturing would quickly develop earlier than 2050 in all three eventualities, as would hydrogen use as freight transport gas—assuming the price of gas cell electrical autos declines to succeed in parity with battery electric vehicles inside a decade.
The important thing infrastructure alongside the hydrogen provide chain over 2020–2060, together with hydrogen manufacturing gear, gas cells for business use, gas cell autos, and hydrogen filling stations. Credit score: Wang et al
Underneath the situation wherein China achieves carbon neutrality by 2060, the nation’s demand for platinum related to hydrogen would improve from 0.6 tons per 12 months in 2020 to 242 tons per 12 months in 2060, which might require a considerable enlargement of the nation’s platinum provide. This might pose dangers, as 95% of platinum is at the moment sourced from three nations: South Africa, Russia, and Zimbabwe.
Elements similar to geopolitical conflicts, labor disputes, and environmental, social, and governance dangers might choke the availability of this scarce steel and worth fluctuations are to be anticipated. Together with enhancing worldwide cooperation in stabilizing platinum mineral provide, the authors suggest China pursue a platinum circular economy as a key technique in its hydrogen planning.
Extra info:
Peng Wang et al, Incorporating platinum round financial system into China’s hydrogen pathways towards carbon neutrality, PNAS Nexus (2024). DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae172
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PNAS Nexus
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Platinum circularity underpins China’s inexperienced hydrogen future (2024, Could 15)
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