China has introduced a cutting-edge seawater-desalination facility in Shandong that delivers fresh water at just two yuan per cubic metre while also generating green hydrogen. The installation, located in the coastal city of Rizhao, showcases a model that links waste heat, seawater and renewable-energy production in a single integrated system.
A Facility Powered by Seawater and Industrial Waste Heat
According to provincial reporting, the system operates entirely on seawater and low-grade heat drawn from neighbouring steel and petrochemical plants. It has run continuously for more than three weeks. During this period, it produced high-purity hydrogen without needing conventional desalination or freshwater inputs.
For every 800 tonnes of seawater processed each year, the facility yields three outputs. It delivers 450 cubic metres of ultra-pure fresh water, 192,000 standard cubic metres of green hydrogen and 350 tonnes of mineral-rich brine that can support marine-chemical industries.
A “One-In, Three-Out” Circular Model
The combined process shows how seawater, waste heat and electrolysis can work together. The hydrogen is produced at an energy cost of 4.2 kilowatts per cubic metre. Officials note that this amount is enough to power 100 buses for thousands of kilometres each year.
The fresh-water cost is also striking. It undercuts the four-yuan cost achieved at another waste-heat facility in Jinan and remains far below many desalination operations in water-scarce regions around the world. For comparison, residential water tariffs in Beijing begin at five yuan per cubic metre for the initial consumption tier.
Advanced Seawater Electrolysis Without Freshwater Inputs
Experts highlight why the achievement is notable. Traditional electrolysis demands high-purity water because seawater contaminants disrupt the process. Calcium and magnesium deposits can clog electrodes, and chloride ions can corrode catalyst materials. Yet the Shandong facility uses corrosion-resistant catalysts and controlled seawater-regulation technologies to avoid these issues.
It also removes the need for conventional cooling units by redirecting industrial waste heat into fresh-water production. This reduces both energy use and capital requirements. The facility’s power-utilisation rate stands more than 20 per cent above that of standard freshwater-electrolysis systems.
A New Model Matching China’s Coastal Industrial Layout
Researchers from the Laoshan Laboratory describe the system as a new model for zero-carbon hydrogen production along China’s coastline. They emphasise that the approach aligns with coastal industrial clusters that generate abundant waste heat. This heat can now be transformed into clean energy and fresh water.
The integrated design supports local energy networks by enabling on-site hydrogen production powered by seawater. Provincial reports note that for port-industrial cities such as Rizhao, the technology serves as a strong emissions-reduction tool and a new driver of green development.
Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?
It’s Free — Click here to Subscribe!
Source: South China Morning Post
