Xiangying Zhang

With the development of the global low-carbon economy, clean energy has gradually become an important direction for the transformation of the energy structure. As an efficient and clean energy carrier, hydrogen energy has broad application prospects. However, high capital expenditure, elongated supply chains, and a lack of market maturity are challenges the hydrogen energy industrial chain faces, which lead to complicated transfer pricing problems. This study examines the internal transfer pricing problems in the hydrogen energy industrial chain using X Company as an example. By building a transfer pricing model based on cooperative game theory and integrating it with X Company’s actual data, this study can offer theoretical justification and useful recommendations for the internal transfer pricing mechanism of developing energy sectors. The findings of the study demonstrate that the hydrogen energy industry requires substantial R&D investment, with research outcomes exerting significant long-term impacts on cost reduction. To increase business profitability, transfer pricing for new players in the hydrogen energy market should include a fair distribution of R&D expenses, combined with carefully thought-out transfer price plans and inventory control systems. This research provides novel theoretical perspectives for the transfer pricing in the hydrogen energy industrial chain, and establishes a referential paradigm for designing and optimizing transfer pricing mechanisms in other emerging industries.

Co-author/s:

Yanping Ding, Associate Consultant, Sinopec Economics & Development Research Institute Company Limited.