Visit of Dr. Corrado Clini, President of the Italy-China Friendship Association, to Shanghai H-Ray S&T Co., Ltd.

On October 31, 2024, Shanghai H-Ray S&T Co., Ltd. welcomed the visit of Dr. Corrado Clini, President of the Italy-China Friendship Association and former Minister of the Environment of Italy. Dr. Corrado Clini once held various positions such as President of the European Environment and Health Committee, Vice President of the European Environment Agency, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Regional Environmental Center in Budapest, and member of the Board of Directors of the New Technologies Energy and Environment Agency (ENEA). He has made remarkable achievements and had a profound influence in the field of energy and environment. Dr.Clini has long been concerned about and committed to scientific and technological cooperation in the field of energy and environment with China, and has actively promoted and practiced cooperation with China in the fields of energy and environment technologies and sustainable development. With Dr. Clini’s direct participation and efforts, the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China and the Italian Ministry of the Environment signed the "Agreement on Cooperation in Environmental Science and Technology" in 2002, and reached the "Agreement between the Ministry of Science and Technology of China and the Italian Ministry of the Environment on the Establishment of the Italy-China Energy and Environment Science and Technology Cooperation Fund" in 2003. He has also carried out  cooperation with the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, the Beijing Municipal Government and the Shanghai Municipal Government. Dr. Clini was awarded the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award of the People's Republic of China in 2004. In 2017, he had in-depth discussions and collaborations with the Minister of Science and Technology of China, Wan Gang, on the innovative applications and international cooperation mechanisms in the field of renewable energy, especially hydrogen energy, laying a good foundation for the exchanges between China and Italy in related fields.

Dr. Corrado Clini's visit to Shanghai H-Ray S&T Co., Ltd. is of great significance for strengthening the exchanges and cooperation between China and Italy in the fields of hydrogen production technology and the industrial chain of core components for PEM hydrogen production, seeking to accelerate the reduction of green hydrogen costs and promote sustainable development, as well as exploring new paths for cooperation with Italy and the European Union.

Professor Yang Hui, the chairman of Shanghai H-Ray S&T, introduced to Dr. Clini the six core technological strengths of Shanghai H-Ray in the field of PEM water electrolysis, covering highly consistent membrane electrodes, pressure-resistant bipolar plates, uniform coatings, stack seals, electrolyzers, and PEM hydrogen production systems. Dr. Clini visited the MEA roll-to-roll automated production line, the PEM electrolyzer stack automated stacking workshop, and the system integration and special testing equipment located in the Minhang District of Shanghai H-Ray. Professor Yang Hui elaborated on the new low-precious-metal PEM hydrogen production membrane electrodes and high-performance electrolyzer stacks of Shanghai H-Ray, as well as its future research and development directions. The electrolyze stacks provided for the hydrogen production industry can achieve low energy consumption (4.1 kWh Nm-3) under high current density (≥2Acm-2), enabling the electrolyzers to operate safely and reliably under wide power fluctuations (10% - 120%), with high consistency in assembly (the maximum range ≤ 30 mV), and ensuring such indicators as low oxygen and high hydrogen (≤ 0.5% under 1.6MPa and 10% of the rated power) during application, making the operation of hydrogen production equipment more economical, safer and more reliable.

Dr. Clini expressed his great pleasure in visiting Shanghai H-Ray and touring the company's exhibition hall, membrane electrode and electrolyzer assembly production lines. He witnessed the excellent work of Shanghai H-Ray in the field of PEM hydrogen production. He also visited the MW-level PEM hydrogen production system on site and got to know the technical parameters such as actual operating energy consumption, hydrogen production pressure and dynamic response. In particular, he learned about the relevant situation of Shanghai H-Ray's participation in the Italian Photovoltaic and Hydrogen Energy Exhibition in Catania this September. He pointed out that relevant industries in Italy need such technologies and products. Only cheaper green hydrogen that does not rely on subsidies, can achieve sustainable development. Dr. Clini hoped that Shanghai H-Ray would continue to strengthen cooperation with local enterprises in Italy and was willing to serve as a bridge to promote in-depth cooperation between China and Italy, as well as relationship between China and the European Union in the field of hydrogen energy, jointly promoting the vigorous development of the global hydrogen energy industry and contributing more to addressing global climate change and realizing energy transformation.