Air Products launches retail hydrogen fuel dispenser, CA stations

Air Products launches retail hydrogen fuel dispenser, CA stations

NEWS Air Products launches retail hydrogen fuel dispenser, CA stations A ir Products has recently introduced an advanced, consumer-friendly retail ...

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NEWS

Air Products launches retail hydrogen fuel dispenser, CA stations

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ir Products has recently introduced an advanced, consumer-friendly retail hydrogen fuel dispenser. The new model will be installed at 10 new hydrogen fueling stations in California. The company says that the new offering is the market’s first fully integrated retail hydrogen dispenser, for use in the same way as traditional consumer gasoline fueling and payment practices. The unit will meet consumer expectations of refilling hydrogenpowered fuel cell electric vehicles in a safe, fast, reliable, and familiar manner [see the Air Products feature in FCB, February 2013]. ‘There is a direct benefit in consumer acceptance of new technology, in making the hydrogen fueling experience similar to the traditional vehicle fueling experience,’ explains Brian Bonner, Air Products’ global product manager for hydrogen energy systems. ‘Our extensive experience in hydrogen supply and our exclusive relationship with an industry leader of fuel dispensing equipment, has led to both unique innovations involving hydrogen dispensing technology and a superior level of safety that is built into the advanced hydrogen dispenser.’ Air Products worked closely with Michiganbased Bennett Pump Company, a leading manufacturer of fuel dispensing equipment, in developing the advanced hydrogen fuel dispenser. The collaboration benefits from the combination of Air Products’ vast hydrogen market experience and Bennett’s extensive background in engineering and manufacturing of consumer and retail fuel dispensing products. This advanced technology will be immediately incorporated into 10 new fueling stations to be built by Air Products in California starting this year [FCB, June 2013, p1]. The dispenser’s design and user interface provide the same look, feel, and payment options as a traditional gasoline dispenser, and may be integrated into any existing retail pointof-sale system. The hydrogen fuel dispensing equipment, based partially on Bennett’s Pacific Series product, includes Society of Automotive Engineers-certified dispensing components, proprietary hydrogen fueling protocols, as well as the ability to meet the SAE J2601 fueling requirements. The dispenser is equipped with a consumer-friendly training interface, the latest Hydrogen Vehicle Authorization System to provide identification of the type of vehicle

July 2013

being fueled at the dispenser, and in many areas exceeds applicable safety code requirements. Air Products has vast experience in hydrogen fueling, and an extensive patent portfolio in hydrogen dispensing technology. Several of its sites for hydrogen fueling applications are providing more than 75 000 refills per annum. The company has been involved in over 150 hydrogen fueling projects in the US and 20 countries worldwide, refueling cars, trucks, vans, buses, scooters, forklifts, locomotives, aircraft, cell towers, and even submarines and ferries [see page 4]. Air Products, Hydrogen Energy: www.airproducts.com/h2energy Bennett Pump Company: www.bennettpump.com

ENERGY STORAGE

Largest Power-to-Gas facility now operating with Hydrogenics tech

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Power-to-Gas (P2G) unit installed by energy giant E.ON in Falkenhagen in eastern Germany has injected hydrogen into the natural gas system as part of a function test. This is the first time that E.ON has successfully implemented all stages of the process, from receiving electricity to injecting hydrogen. The facility utilises electrolyser and hydrogen production technology supplied by Canadian-based Hydrogenics. This P2G facility converts excess renewable generation from a nearby wind farm into renewable power, fuel or heat where and when it is needed. The region has a high output of wind power, with its wind farms already frequently producing more electricity than the local grid can handle. In addition, the necessary power and gas infrastructure is already on hand, and E.ON has a control centre there. With this facility now in full operation, E.ON Gas Storage is feeding up to 360 Nm3/h into the local natural gas grid, which is operated by ONTRAS (a subsidiary of VNG – Verbundnetz Gas). The hydrogen becomes part of the natural gas mix, and can be used to generate power or heat. Hydrogenics received the order from E.ON for this Power-to-Gas project last summer [FCB, July 2012, p7]. The 2 MW energy storage facility uses surplus renewable energy sources to produce hydrogen for storage in the existing natural gas pipeline network in Germany. The facility – delivered at the end of 2012 [FCB, January 2013, p7] and

commissioned over the first quarter of 2013 – has passed all tests, and all required permits and certifications have now been granted for its operation. For Hydrogenics this has been a turnkey P2G project which included supply, installation, connection, and commissioning of the hydrogen production facility, including gas compression, master controls, as well as a fiveyear service and maintenance agreement. Germany is a key energy storage player in Europe, building on its leading position in terms of installed capacity of renewables. The country has the ambitious goal of getting onethird of its electricity from renewable energy by 2020, at least 50% by 2030, and 80% by 2050. Thus it must find a way to store huge quantities of electricity to make up for the intermittency of renewable energy – so utilityscale energy storage will be a key part of the future German energy plan. Hydrogenics Corporation, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Tel: +1 905 361 3660, www.hydrogenics.com Hydrogenics Europe – Electrolysers, Oevel, Belgium. Tel: +32 14 462110. E.ON, energy storage project: www.eon.com/en/about-us/innovation.html

COMMERCIALISATION

ITM joins alliances in California, Germany, sets up Danish unit

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K-based ITM Power has joined the California Hydrogen Business Council (CHBC), and is participating as a founding member in the CHBC Hydrogen Energy Storage Program. ITM has also joined the Power-to-Gas (P2G) Strategy Platform managed by the German Energy Agency, and has set up a Danish subsidiary company to bid with a partner for some significant energy storage opportunities there. The California Hydrogen Business Council’s new Hydrogen Energy Storage (HES) Program will assist the market adoption of hydrogen energy storage in California, by providing a greater understanding of the role of Power-toGas energy storage and the energy storage role played by hydrogen used as a transportation fuel. The other founding members of the HES Program are Southern California Gas and Canadian-based Hydrogenics. Hydrogen energy storage has the potential to become an immense business opportunity in California as the state targets 33% of its

Fuel Cells Bulletin

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