As the global carbon neutrality process accelerates, green hydrogen is rapidly transitioning from a "concept" to a "reality." The upcoming comprehensive
rollout of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2031) will place green hydrogen at the core strategic position of energy transformation.
As a crucial component in building a new energy system, green hydrogen—hydrogen produced via water electrolysis using renewable energy sources like
wind and solar—not only holds the key to achieving "dual carbon" goals but is also poised to catalyze a brand-new, trillion-yuan industrial chain
encompassing production, storage, transportation, refueling, and application.
Behind every link in this grand industrial chain lies a seemingly small yet fundamentally critical industrial component—the valve.
I. The 15th Five-Year Plan's Hydrogen Push: Two Key "Hard Nuts" to Crack
During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China's green hydrogen industry will exhibit two major trends: first, a shift from demonstration projects to large-
scale implementation; second, a move from "gray hydrogen" towards deep integration with "green hydrogen." These trends present unprecedented
technical challenges for the valve industry. In the face of green hydrogen, traditional valves encounter two major "enemies":
Hydrogen Embrittlement: Hydrogen, especially under high pressure, can penetrate metal lattices, leading to reduced material ductility and even cracking.
In high-pressure storage and transportation, a valve's resistance to hydrogen embrittlement directly impacts system safety.
Leakage: Hydrogen molecules are the smallest and possess extremely high permeability. Even minuscule defects in valve stem packing or sealing surfaces
become magnified in the presence of hydrogen, posing significant hazards.
II. How Do Valves "Take the Pulse" Across the Green Hydrogen Industrial Chain?
Aligned with the 15th Five-Year Plan's strategic layout for green hydrogen, valve companies are encountering structural market opportunities in the
following three core scenarios:
Production End: Demanding Conditions from Fluctuating Power Sources
Green hydrogen originates from wind and solar power, whose fluctuations cause frequent changes in electrolyzer operating conditions. Valves must
withstand challenges like frequent startups/shutdowns and severe pressure and flow fluctuations.
Core Requirements: Extremely high sealing reliability, fatigue resistance, and the ability to operate stably under complex conditions, eliminating leakage risks.
Storage & Transportation End: Extreme Challenges of High Pressure and Extreme Cold
High-Pressure Gaseous Hydrogen: Storage cylinder assemblies operating at 45MPa or even 90MPa impose stringent demands on a valve's pressure-
bearing capacity and structural strength.
Liquid Hydrogen: The extreme cryogenic environment of minus 253°C significantly increases the risk of material cold embrittlement. Technologies such as
long-stem valve cold shrinkage compensation and thermal insulation for liquid hydrogen valves represent one of the areas with the lowest localization
rates. This is also a strategic high ground that must be conquered during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.
Application End: Precision Metering and Millisecond Response
In scenarios like hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, hydrogen metallurgy, and green chemicals, valves not only need to achieve precise flow regulation but must
also possess ultra-high-speed emergency shut-off capabilities—millisecond-level response serves as the final safety barrier in case of an incident.
III. Wanlong's Response to the Transformation
Facing the stringent challenges arising from the wave of green hydrogen industrialization, Wanlong is actively responding. By increasing R&D investment
and tackling core technologies, we are driving the upgrade of our products towards "hydrogen-dedicated" solutions. This enables our products to precisely adapt to the demanding conditions of green hydrogen applications—such as high pressure, low temperatures, and hydrogen embrittlement—providing
reliable valve solutions for the safe and efficient utilization of hydrogen energy.
