Hitachi Energy has supplied rectifier transformers for a major green hydrogen project in Songyuan, a city in northeastern China. Developed by China Energy Engineering Corp. (CEEC), the hydrogen industrial park represents one of the world's largest integrated green hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol production projects.

The transformers provided by Hitachi Energy support water electrolysis, a process that produces hydrogen using renewable energy. These specialized rectifier transformers ensure a stable power supply—essential for improving the efficiency and reliability of hydrogen generation from wind and solar sources.

China, the world's largest hydrogen producer, has placed hydrogen at the center of its national energy strategy. In late 2024, the country unveiled a plan to accelerate the use of clean hydrogen in industries, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and modernize its energy sector. This initiative promotes the use of hydrogen to produce green ammonia and methanol, offering cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels.

The CEEC-led project in Songyuan is a cornerstone of this strategy. It includes the phased construction of a 3-gigawatt renewable energy facility that powers water electrolysis for hydrogen production. The hydrogen is then used to synthesize ammonia and methanol, creating a full value chain from clean electricity to sustainable fuel alternatives.

Hitachi Energy’s rectifier transformers play a crucial role in this process. The units are designed for compactness, high stability, and low energy losses. They also offer robust harmonic and current impact resistance, making them ideal for demanding industrial applications such as hydrogen production.

"Green hydrogen is a vital component in achieving deep decarbonization across industries. It significantly reduces reliance on fossil fuels and lowers carbon emissions," said Zhang Jianhua, senior vice president of China and head of Greater China Hub Business Unit Transformers at Hitachi Energy. "With our advanced transformer technology, we are proud to support our customers in developing integrated renewable and hydrogen-based energy projects."

Backed by nearly 80 years of experience in rectifier transformer innovation, Hitachi Energy’s solutions are widely used in sectors such as metallurgy, chemical engineering, and now, hydrogen energy.

The Songyuan project has been selected as one of the first low-carbon technology demonstration projects by China’s National Development and Reform Commission. It is also a key element of Jilin Province's “Hydrogen Powering Jilin” initiative. Once operational, it is expected to produce 800,000 tons of green synthetic ammonia and methanol annually, marking a significant milestone in China's energy transition.