China

Competition Overview                                     Climate change is a global consensus that all of humanity must address together, and hydrogen energy plays an irreplaceable role in the global energy transition. As a clean and efficient energy source, hydrogen energy has vast and rich application scenarios in sectors such as transportation, chemicals, energy storage, and metallurgy. Currently, hydrogen energy is at a critical stage, transitioning from research and development to industrialization. In response to the global energy strategy transformation, the International Hydrogen Energy Center (IHEC) aims to address key challenges in the hydrogen energy industry and promote the development and application of cutting-edge technologies. IHEC connects world-class international and domestic innovative enterprises and R&D teams, and organizes ‘Hydrogen Innovation, Empowering the Future’ —the International Hydrogen Energy Innovation Pioneer Competition.The International Hydrogen Energy Innovation Pioneer Competition is a global innovation competition focusing on three key areas: hydrogen energy and its applications, new materials, and the digitalization and intelligence of the hydrogen energy industry chain. The competition aims to discover and nurture projects that are innovative, practical, and commercially viable.This competition is organized by IHEC, under the guidance of UNIDO. It invites project submissions from startups, technology companies, and university teams around the world. The competition selects outstanding projects that demonstrate unique innovation, commercial potential, and sustainability. Through the international cooperation network of UNIDO, selected projects will receive opportunities for global collaboration, international project promotion, funding support, policy backing, and industry resource connections. The goal is to foster globally leading future unicorn enterprises in the hydrogen energy industry. The International Hydrogen Energy Center                               The International Hydrogen Energy Center (IHEC) in China is a technology innovation center with global influence in the field of hydrogen energy. It is launched by Beijing Tsinghua Industrial R&D Institute (BTIRDI) in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), with support from the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology and the China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges. IHEC is dedicated to addressing the key challenges in the development of the hydrogen energy industry. Through publishing industry reports, conducting cutting-edge research, developing core technologies, and nurturing leading enterprises, IHEC aims to create a global hub for hydrogen energy technology innovation. In strategic collaboration with leading hydrogen energy enterprises worldwide, IHEC is actively engaged in large-scale application demonstrations across key sectors, including hydrogen transportation, hydrogen metallurgy, and hydrogen chemicals, accelerating the promotion and application of hydrogen energy. Focus Areas for Submissions                                         Hydrogen and Hydrogen-related Technologies and Equipment, including, but not limited to, novel and efficient low-cost hydrogen production technologies; advanced hydrogen storage solutions; the production and utilization of hydrogen-based fuels and chemicals; integration of hydrogen energy with industrial sectors (such as power generation, chemicals, metallurgy); and hydrogen safety monitoring technologies.New Materials, including, but not limited to, novel polymer materials, inorganic non-metallic materials, catalytic materials, functional membrane materials, and other innovative materials for hydrogen applications.Digitalization and Intelligence of Hydrogen Energy, including, but not limited to, innovative solutions for cost reduction, efficiency enhancement, and safety improvements based on technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, and artificial intelligence. Eligible Participants                                     Leveraging the cooperation network of UNIDO, the competition invites startups, technology companies, and university teams from around the world to participate.For projects with a registered company: The company’s first round of funding must have occurred after January 1, 2019, and the company valuation must not exceed 700 million RMB or 100 million USD.For projects without a registered company: The project should have a certain level of technological maturity and commercial feasibility, with a clear and comprehensive description of its technology application scenarios and market potential. The project must also present a clear future plan for the commercialization of the technology.Participants must be the founders or core members of the participating teams. Competition Schedule                                     ✅ January 2025 to March 2025:  Project Collection and Registration✅ April 2025: Online Preliminary Screening and Evaluation✅ May 2025: Offline Final (Beijing, China) Support and Rewards                                   Market PromotionFirst Place: The winner will receive the opportunity to speak at the Blue Zone events and hydrogen energy side events at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30, Brazil).Top Three: The top three winners will be granted a full-year free exhibition opportunity at IHEC exhibition hall, along with a speaking slot at the 2025 International Hydrogen Energy Center Industry Forum.All Finalist Projects: All projects that reach the final stage will be included in the IHEC Pioneer Technology Database and will be showcased and shared globally.Industry SupportConnecting with Leading Global Enterprises: Facilitation of connections with internationally leading companies in the hydrogen energy sector and their upstream and downstream resources.Space SupportOffice and Lab Space in Beijing: Provision of competitively priced office space, scarce laboratory resources, and factory facilities in Beijing, with the possibility of offering free space services to selected projects.Financial SupportDiverse and Professional Investment Services: A range of investment and financing services, including investment roadshow connections, direct investments from internal funds, cooperative venture capital, and technology-backed loans.Policy SupportAssistance with Government Support: Support in applying for relevant policies and qualification certifications from the Beijing Municipal Government. Contact Information                                     For any inquiries, please contact us through the following methods:✅ Phone: +86 10-82355885✅ Email: wangxue@hycentre.org.cn✅ Website of the International Hydrogen Energy Center (hycentre.org.cn) Application Method                                     ✅ Please follow the link below to download the registration form.✅ Submit the completed registration form and business plan to the email address: IHEC@hycentre.org.cn by March 30, 2025.

BAOTOU - The global transition towards cleaner energy sources has been gaining momentum, and the focus has shifted towards green hydrogen as a clean energy alternative. In this context, the construction of the International Hydrogen Energy Metallurgy and Chemical Demonstration Zone in Baotou, Inner Mongolia, marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of sustainable and zero-carbon technologies.The project is led by the International Hydrogen Energy Centre (IHEC), supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and hosted by the Beijing Tsinghua Industrial Research and Development Institute (TIDRI) and the Chinese metal manufacturer, the Mintal Group.Ammonia is produced in vast quantities worldwide for agricultural fertilizers. However the traditional production method uses natural gas or other fossil fuels to provide both the hydrogen feedstock and the energy to power the synthesis process. As a result, ammonia production releases almost 1.5% of global CO₂ emissions. Reducing the amount of carbon dioxide produced during the ammonia manufacturing process is therefore critical to achieve net-zero targets by 2050.The best way to reduce carbon emissions when making ammonia is to use green hydrogen, which is hydrogen produced via water electrolysis using renewable electricity.In its first phase, the IHEC project will build a 1.5GW wind power farm to produce green hydrogen for green ammonia synthesis. The first batch of 390,000 tonnes of green ammonia per year is set to be supplied in early 2025.On 15 April, the day before the ground-breaking ceremony marking the start of construction of the industrial zone, nearly 200 representatives of stakeholders from different regions, countries and industries attended the China-Europe Hydrogen Energy Industry Forum in Baotou. At the event, organized by the IHEC, participants discussed the role of hydrogen in the clean energy transition and the potential for cooperation between China and Europe.

VIENNA, 22 JUNE 2022 – The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the International Hydrogen Energy Centre (IHEC) organized a virtual Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on capacity building and to establish a Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC).“There are numerous activities related to Hydrogen throughout the world and progress is gradually being achieved”, said UNIDO Chief Rana Ghoneim, speaking on behalf of Tareq Emtairah, Director of the Department of Energy. “Still, to successfully transition to a hydrogen economy and global trade, the international cooperation on the entire value chain must be enhanced”.“Indeed, the international standards and certification systems are to be gradually improved”, said FU Xiaolong, Deputy Director of the Beijing Tsinghua Industrial Development Research Institute, which is hosting the IHEC ever since its inception in July 2021. “They are essential to facilitate cooperation and development and the use of renewables, nuclear, geothermal and other low/zero carbon generation should be considered in global standards, policies and project developments”.The EGM exchanged on the progress of hydrogen development progress and provided advice on potential challenges to accelerate scaling-up production, transportation, storage and use of hydrogen, including the balance between supply and demand also related to clean energy sources.The EGM also reviewed the progress, work plan and draft outline of the Global Green Hydrogen Development Outlook in industry, which IHEC is currently developing, and agreed on a series of conclusion, including the need to set-up a global hydrogen information and knowledge-sharing network as well as to further emphasize related safety approaches. Furthermore, the EGM reiterated that globally harmonized standards and norms would be of great benefit to a global deployment and cooperation of hydrogen, and that, in an initial phase, IHEC could focus more on global standardization in the hydrogen production, transportation and storage area, and especially metallurgical standards.The EGM further commended IHEC for its progress and for its comprehensive work plan taking into account the importance of accessible and affordable access to clean energy, especially to reduce the dependency of developing countries on energy imports, whereby hydrogen could be generated and used in a local-for-local business model.For more information, please contact:LIU HengSenior Technical AdviserEnergy Technologies and Industrial Applications Division, Department of EnergyUnited Nations Industrial Development Organizationh.liu@unido.org

Photo: IHECSince its inception on 7 July 2021, and with the support of the Government of China and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the International Hydrogen Energy Centre (IHEC) has been promoting the development of hydrogen energy, including through the world's largest demonstration project – jointly led by IHEC and Beijing Sinohytec – of hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics as more than 850 hydrogen fuel cell buses were used to transport athletes and officials with 9 green hydrogen refueling stations built in Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province. In total, the buses operated over 3.2 million kilometers and consumed around 200 tons of green hydrogen, which saved an estimated 2,000 tons of carbon.Another IHEC flagship programme, which was developed with the Shuimu Mingtuo Group and Hualu, is the establishment of the International Hydrogen Energy Metallurgy and Chemical Demonstration Zone, which is the world's first comprehensive demonstration project on green hydrogen production and its applications for the metallurgical and chemicals industries. The zone’s construction in Baotou, Inner Mongolia, is planned to start at the end of 2022 and should start its official operations in 2025.The feasibility study report was completed in close cooperation with ThyssenKrupp Technology (Shanghai), the General Electric Power Planning and Design Institute, and Aerospace Changzheng Chemical Engineering. The research and engineering design of the green ammonia is under development in close cooperation with Rhine Technology (Shanghai), TUV (Germany) and Hualu Engineering Technology.The demonstration zone is intended to promote the formation of a green and low-carbon chemical industry chain and achieve comprehensive carbon neutrality in the metallurgical and chemical industries. The annual capacity of green hydrogen is expected to be 300,000 tons derived from building the country’s largest 5-million-kilowatt wind power generation and 1.5 million kilowatt photovoltaic power. China’s first set of 2×550,000 tons of direct reduced iron will be built using green hydrogen as a reducing agent. At the same time, using green hydrogen and air-captured nitrogen as raw materials, the project will produce an annual production capacity of 1.2 million tons of green ammonia synthesis. For more information, please contact:LIU HengSenior Technical Advisor, Department of Energy,  UNIDOEmail