Gasgoo Munich- Dongfeng Motor has commissioned the industry's first integrated solar-hydrogen-electric smart energy station (SHES) in Xinjiang. Located in Yustun Kashi Arik Village, Gezlik Town, Kalpin County, Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the facility—developed entirely in-house—provides a complete clean energy system capable of off-grid power supply and on-grid peak shaving.
Image Source: Dongfeng Motor
Housed in a 20-foot container, the station integrates five core systems: photovoltaic power generation, battery storage, PEM electrolysis for hydrogen production, solid-state hydrogen storage, and fuel cells. A smart energy management platform automatically toggles between modes: solar power takes priority during the day, with excess green electricity converted to hydrogen; batteries smooth fluctuations at night or on cloudy days, while fuel cells kick in when battery power runs low. If the grid fails, the system seamlessly switches to off-grid mode to ensure continuity. Notably, the solid-state storage system safely holds hydrogen at ambient temperature and pressure, offering high density without leakage risks.
Designed for resilience, the station features a three-zone layout based on hydrogen risk levels—separating hydrogen-related explosion-proof areas, non-explosion-proof hydrogen areas, and non-hydrogen zones—equipped with ventilation, alarms, and fire detection. It operates in temperatures ranging from -20°C to 50°C and withstands Level 4 earthquakes and sandstorms. Once operational, the station is expected to save the local area roughly 100,000 yuan annually in electricity costs, with a lifespan of 7 to 10 years. Beyond civilian use, the unit is mobile—trailable by trucks—for vehicle refueling, highway support, and powering clean-energy ships. At scale, hydrogen refueling costs could drop below 20 yuan per kilogram.
The project marks a specific step in Dongfeng's targeted aid to Kalpin County. Since pairing with the county in 2013, Dongfeng has poured 97.48 million yuan into 145 assistance projects. For 2026, the automaker plans to invest another 10 million yuan across 15 initiatives focused on rural revitalization, with this smart energy station standing as a flagship technology project.
On the R&D front, Dongfeng has secured over 2,000 hydrogen energy patents and achieved 100% localization of key components. Its 400kW high-power fuel cell stack has passed the new national standard's 10,000-hour durability test. Currently, Dongfeng holds roughly a 30% market share in hydrogen vehicles, operating in more than 40 cities. The company now aims to extend its solid-state storage and fuel cell tech to low-altitude aircraft and hydrogen locomotives.
