In recent years, energy shortages and environmental damage have heightened the global discussion on hydrogen fuel systems. IJAMCE conducted an exclusive interview with Dr. Qingyi Kong — the driving force behind China's leading fuel cell air compressor manufacturer — to gain insight into the present and future of domestic hydrogen fuel technology.

Dr. Qingyi Kong obtained his Ph.D. from Hebei University of Technology in 2014. Upon joining Hebei Kingston Technology Co., Ltd. in 2017, he assumed responsibility for the research and design of high-speed motors. In 2020, he advanced to the role of Technical Director at Kingston Shijiazhuang R&D Center, overseeing the development of fuel cell air compressors and leading the successful creation of a complete range of air compressor products for 15 kW–300 kW stacks.

Interview
IJAMCE What will be the future development trend of hydrogen energy?
Kong As the problems of energy shortage and environmental damage become increasingly prominent, hydrogen energy will become a hot topic in energy discussions. According to predictions, China's hydrogen demand will be 37.15 million tons in 2030, accounting for approximately 5% of final energy consumption; and 130.3 million tons in 2060, accounting for approximately 22% of terminal energy consumption. The International Energy Agency predicts that global demand for hydrogen will reach 520 million tons by 2070. The World Energy Council predicts that hydrogen energy will account for 25% of global final energy consumption by 2050.
IJAMCE How have Kingston Technology's product sales performed?
Kong According to our market research, the market share of the top five suppliers of fuel cell air compressor shipments in the domestic market in 2023 has reached 96.48%. Hebei Kingston Technology Co., Ltd. ranks among the top three in terms of market share and first among centrifugal air compressors.
Kingston air compressors have always adhered to the high-speed direct-drive centrifugal technology route. Looking back now, our choice of technical route was very correct. Most components — including bearings, motors, and controllers — can be manufactured and produced domestically.
— Dr. Qingyi Kong, Technical Director, Hebei Kingston Technology
IJAMCE In what aspects is Kingston's core technology reflected? Are there actual application cases for reference?
Kong Kingston was established in 2007, initially focused on air bearing products. With extensive expertise accumulated over the years, Kingston has built unique advantages in high-efficiency low-specific speed compressors, dynamic pressure air bearings, high-speed motors, and high-frequency control, leading to the successful development of the TCC15-300 series air suspension air compressor. Kingston now boasts a team of over 300 individuals, with more than 60 dedicated to R&D, and has supplied nearly 10,000 units, accumulating over 100 million kilometers in cumulative operating mileage.
IJAMCE What are the core difficulties in designing the air compressor for hydrogen fuel cell systems?
Kong The centrifugal air compressor represents the highest level of the air compressor industry, involving aerodynamics, heat transfer, vibration mechanics, machinery, motors, electronic control, and materials science. Research and development requires overcoming multiple individual technologies while integrating them to ensure safe and efficient operation. Individual technologies include: high-efficiency centrifugal air compressor pneumatic design, elastic foil dynamic pressure air bearing design, ultra-high-speed motor design, and ultra-high frequency permanent magnet synchronous motor controller design. This requires very rich accumulation of engineering technology and trade-offs across multiple disciplines.
Kingston TCC series air compressor products
Kingston TCC15-300 series air suspension air compressors — the result of over a decade of independent R&D
IJAMCE What are the mainstream types of air compressors, and which type is expected to dominate the market?
Kong There are three main types of air compressors used in fuel cells: centrifugal, roots, and screw. After 2020, centrifugal air compressors have gradually replaced screw and roots types to become the mainstream in the domestic market. Centrifugal air compressors have been industry-recognized as an excellent solution for fuel cell gas supply systems due to their cost reduction potential after mass production. The two-stage compression centrifugal air compressor has been technically verified by actual vehicle installation and is now mature.
IJAMCE Compared with foreign products, where do domestic air compressors stand, and in what aspects do breakthroughs need to be made?
Kong Currently, there are no fully mature products that fully meet user requirements anywhere in the world. Some foreign manufacturers started earlier, and there remains a certain gap between domestic and foreign technology levels — but this gap is something we can strive to close. Customer evaluation results have shown that our products have surpassed foreign competing products in many aspects. We firmly believe that Chinese brands will win the race in this field. The key is to closely coordinate R&D with power systems, enable multi-disciplinary cross-border applications, and move forward in a down-to-earth manner to continuously accumulate product data.
IJAMCE The current period is a market introduction stage for air compressors and an opportunity for manufacturers to enter the hydrogen fuel cell market. What is your outlook?
Kong We look forward to more powerful and high-quality domestic companies joining this market. Only with healthy competition can we achieve sustainable development and technological upgrading of the industry, which will jointly promote the healthy and rapid development of the fuel cell sector. This is an important window of opportunity, and we encourage all capable companies to seize it.
Only with healthy competition can we achieve sustainable development and technological upgrading of the industry, which will jointly promote the healthy and rapid development of the fuel cell sector.
— Dr. Qingyi Kong