Hydrogen storage—a key hurdle for clean energy—has advanced with a pilot plant producing 150 tons of magnesium hydride annually since January 10, 2025. Developed by a research team at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the project uses a novel “one-pot” method to synthesize magnesium-based materials that store hydrogen safely and efficiently. Magnesium hydride’s high capacity and stability make it ideal for large-scale hydrogen transport and hydrogen-thermal-electric coupling, supporting a transition to sustainable energy. The pilot, located in Yulin, Shaanxi, focuses on optimizing production of these materials—crucial for bridging hydrogen and fossil energy systems and enabling renewable energy storage.
A 150-ton/year magnesium hydride pilot plant in Yulin, Shaanxi. (Graphic: CUI Yajun and CAO Hujun)