- Email: [email protected]
Air Products hydrogen dispenser first on UK supermarket forecourt
NEWS UK H2Mobility: www.ukh2mobility.co.uk HyFive project: www.hyfive.eu Ricardo-AEA, hydrogen refueling stations grants: http://tinyurl.com/ricardo-aea-hrs-grants ITM Power: www.itm-power.com Air Products, Hydrogen Energy: www.airproducts.co.uk/h2energy Fuel Cell Systems Ltd: www.fuelcellsystems.co.uk University of South Wales, Baglan Hydrogen Centre: http://tinyurl.com/baglan-h2-centre Honda of the UK Manufacturing: www.hondamanufacturing.co.uk/about-us Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking: www.fch-ju.eu
Air Liquide hydrogen station for forklifts at FM Logistic in France
I
n France, Air Liquide has been chosen by FM Logistic to provide support for its projected deployment of hydrogenpowered forklift (pallet) trucks at its large 85 000 m2 (915 000 sq ft) Neuville-aux-Bois logistics platform, located near the city of Orléans. Air Liquide has installed a hydrogen refueling station that will initially service 10 fuel cell powered forklifts at the busy Neuville-aux-Bois logistics platform. Eventually, the facility’s 84 forklifts could be switched to hydrogen, which would make it the first logistics hub in Europe to convert its entire fleet of forklift trucks to hydrogen. The use of hydrogen at logistics hubs was first developed in the US and Canada, where more than 6000 materials handling vehicles are now running on hydrogen [see the fuel cell forklift features in FCB, September and October 2010]. FM Logistic anticipates gradually introducing hydrogen fuel cell materials handling vehicles at its other facilities, in particular at new sites with more than 50 pallet trucks. The fuel cell units for the forklifts are supplied by HyPulsion, a joint venture between Air Liquide subsidiary Axane and US-based Plug Power, which is developing, manufacturing and marketing a range of fuel cells for forklifts in the European market [FCB, November 2011, p3]. The fuel cells replace electric batteries, and offer flexibility and improved productivity due to the greater autonomy resulting from their use in forklifts. Air Liquide’s hydrogen station can fully refuel a forklift in just 3 minutes, for 9–10 hours of continuous operation. This project for the large-scale deployment of hydrogen fuel cells demonstrates the competitiveness of this solution for forklifts. It
10
Fuel Cells Bulletin
is the result of a cooperative effort involving the partners of the HAWL (Hydrogen And Warehouse Logistics) project, financed in part by the European Union. The HAWL project aims to support the launch of a European market for hydrogen fuel cell powered forklifts in logistics hubs. The project partners are forklift manufacturers Crown and Toyota Material Handling Europe, fuel cell module manufacturer HyPulsion, Air Liquide for the hydrogen station and the hydrogen, supply chain management services company Diagma, and enduser FM Logistic. Air Liquide, Hydrogen Filling Station: http://tinyurl.com/airliquide-h2filling HyPulsion: www.hypulsion.com FM Logistic: http://corporate.fmlogistic.com/eng-gb HAWL project: www.hawlproject.eu
CEP partner Shell opens new hydrogen station in Hamburg
S
hell Deutschland has boosted the growing hydrogen refueling infrastructure in Germany by opening a new hydrogen station in Hamburg, based on H2Station® technology from Danish company H2 Logic. The station is the latest addition to the Clean Energy Partnership (CEP), which has expanded to 20 member companies with the addition of OMV Deutschland GmbH, part of the Austrian oil & gas company. The station on Schnackenburgallee in west Hamburg is Shell’s third hydrogencapable service station in Germany, and the first with hydrogen produced onsite. The station is supported with funding from the National Organisation Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NOW GmbH). Other Shell hydrogen stations will follow soon in Frankfurt, Wuppertal, Geisingen, and Wendingen. As a member of the E350 million H2 Mobility Initiative in Germany – alongside Air Liquide, Daimler, Linde, OMV, and Total – Shell will help grow the public hydrogen infrastructure, which currently comprises 17 hydrogen stations. The goal is a nationwide network of 400 hydrogen stations by 2023, allowing fuel cell electric vehicles to refuel all over Germany [FCB, October 2013, p6]. Last autumn CEP reported continuing progress on its plan to roll out 50 new hydrogen stations across Germany by the end of 2015 [see the CEP feature in FCB, June 2011], with six additional stations announced for NordrheinWestfalen (NRW) and eight for Baden-
Württemberg [FCB, December 2014, p9]. The new 700 bar Hamburg station is the first in Germany to achieve CEP approval in accordance with the latest version of the SAE J2601 standard [FCB, August 2014, p7], following extensive third-party acceptance and verification tests. The station features onsite hydrogen production, which enables gridbalancing and storage by turning electricity production on/off as required, to help integrate the increasing share of fluctuating renewable electricity in Germany. In other news, CEP has added OMV Deutschland GmbH as a strong new partner for infrastructure development in Germany. In 2009 OMV opened the first public hydrogen station in Baden-Württemberg, at Stuttgart Airport, allowing fuel cell cars and buses to refuel with gaseous hydrogen at 350 and 700 bar [FCB, August 2009, p9]. This station is now part of the CEP hydrogen station network, and OMV plans to build three more stations in southern Germany. OMV is also planning to build a basic hydrogen mobility infrastructure in Austria. In addition to its existing hydrogen station in Vienna [FCB, November 2012, p5], between three and five additional stations will go into operation in the next few years, including one that will open shortly in Innsbruck. Clean Energy Partnership: www.cleanenergypartnership.de/en NOW GmbH: www.now-gmbh.de/en Shell, Hydrogen and Electrification: http://tinyurl.com/shell-h2 Shell Deutschland: www.shell.de (in German) H2 Logic: h2logic.com OMV Group: www.omv.com
Air Products hydrogen dispenser first on UK supermarket forecourt
T
he UK’s first supermarket hosted hydrogen station has opened, to kickstart a public hydrogen refueling network in London as part of the London Hydrogen Network Expansion (LHNE) project. The flagship Air Products SmartFuel® hydrogen dispenser is hosted by Sainsbury’s at its Hendon store. Owned and operated by Air Products, this latest addition strengthens an existing network of hydrogen stations in London, including a newly upgraded, publicly accessible dispenser at Heathrow [FCB, August 2014, p7]. Together these stations meet demand from a burgeoning number
April 2015
NEWS / IN BRIEF of hydrogen-powered fleets, ranging from taxis to delivery vans operated by Commercial Group [FCB, June 2014, p11], and a number of Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell cars [FCB, November 2014, p2]. ‘Encouraging people to consider and ultimately choose hydrogen as a transport fuel is an important part of London’s progression towards a low-carbon future,’ says Diana Raine, LHNE coordinator and Air Products’ hydrogen energy business manager. ‘By working with responsible partners such as Sainsbury’s and providing networks of fueling stations in convenient locations, we will be able to offer the public a real alternative to petrol.’ Hydrogen fueling technology can play an integral role in reducing CO2 emissions, as well as improving air quality and combating climate change. Drivers benefit from a quieter and more comfortable driving experience, because of the quiet operation and smooth acceleration of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. Refueling takes less than three minutes, and FCEVs offer the same range and speed as conventional vehicles. The 700 bar (10 000 psi) SmartFuel station at Hendon is being delivered as part of the London Hydrogen Network Expansion (LHNE) project, which aims to create the UK’s initial hydrogen transport system. The project is backed by the UK government, and co-funded by Innovate UK (formerly the Technology Strategy Board). The LHNE consortium, led by Air Products, is delivering a publicly accessible, state-of-the-art, fast-fill 350 and 700 bar hydrogen fueling station network over a three-year period. The creation of this network is particularly important, because the hydrogen FCEVs now coming to market require a 700 bar fueling system. Air Products has recently won two funding awards, to upgrade the Hendon and Heathrow stations as part of the London Hydrogen Network Upgrade, and to upgrade a mobile refueling station to support conferences and FCEV test drives [see page 9]. Air Products, Hydrogen Energy: www.airproducts.co.uk/h2energy Cenex, LHNE project: www.cenex.co.uk/research/hydrogen/lhne Innovate UK: www.innovateuk.org
ENERGY STORAGE
Scottish community energy project targets use of green hydrogen
T
he Levenmouth Community Energy Project in Fife, eastern Scotland will investigate the potential of hydrogen
April 2015
as a future fuel, with £4 million (US$6 million) in Scottish government funding through the Local Energy Challenge Fund. This pioneering industry development aims to shape the future prosperity of local communities through a number of green hydrogen projects in a redevelopment area of Methil. The Methil Docks site already has a 750 kW wind turbine and 30 kW water electrolysis system; the new project will install a 200 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation facility, 60 kW and 250 kW water electrolysis systems, hydrogen storage tanks, hydrogen stations, and fuel cells. Renewable energy generated by the wind and solar systems will be used to power the facility, and also to electrolyse water to produce hydrogen. Stored hydrogen will be supplied via hydrogen stations to 25 hybrid commercial vehicles powered by fuel cells and diesel engines, and also reconverted to electricity by fuel cells for use in the project’s facilities. The project is led by Bright Green Hydrogen, along with Fife Council (project support and provision of some vehicles), Toshiba, Leven Valley Development Trust, Fife College, BOC (for hydrogen transport), Green Business Fife, Community Energy Scotland, and the Scottish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (SHFCA). The project, which will run from April 2015 to March 2020, is based at the Hydrogen Office in Methil and run by Bright Green Hydrogen, which was previously known as The Hydrogen Office [FCB, February 2011, p9]. The new scheme involves the facility being developed into a leading demonstration of innovative applications of hydrogen derived from renewable sources. This includes Levenmouth becoming the home of Europe’s largest fleet of hydrogen dual-fuel vehicles, including 10 Ford Transits, 10 Renault Kangoo vans, and two refuse collection vehicles. Hydrogen refueling will be installed at both the Hydrogen Office and at the Fife Council vehicle depot at Bankhead in Glenrothes. Toshiba will deploy its hydrogen energy management system (H2 EMS), which is designed for optimal production and storage of hydrogen based on electricity supply and demand forecasts. Toshiba will also handle overall system control, allowing it to collect operating data from the entire system – including the H2 EMS, water electrolysis systems, and vehicles – for use in future projects [and see page 1]. Bright Green Hydrogen Ltd, Methil, Fife, Scotland, UK. Tel: +44 1333 439321, www.brightgreenhydrogen.org.uk Toshiba, Hydrogen Economy: www.toshiba.co.jp/newenergy/en/index.htm
IN BRIEF World added 17 hydrogen stations in 2014 The seventh annual assessment by www. H2stations.org, a website of Ludwig-BölkowSystemtechnik (LBST) and TÜV SÜD in Germany, reports that 17 new hydrogen refueling stations were opened throughout the world in 2014. About one-third of the newly operational stations are supplied by ‘green’ hydrogen, i.e. hydrogen produced using renewable energy. As of March 2015, the total number of hydrogen stations in operation is 184. Several countries are prioritising hydrogen refueling infrastructure development, which will see a rapid increase in the number of public stations. In North America two stations were inaugurated in 2014, three in Asia, and 12 in Europe. Based on information available to LBST, a total of 82 stations are currently operated in Europe, 63 in North America, one in South America, and 38 in Asia. Worldwide, 74 of these have public access, including 17 of the 29 stations in Germany. Some older stations, operated within specific projects which came to an end, were taken out of service last year. But Germany, California and Japan have ambitious programmes to extend their hydrogen infrastructure, so some of the currently closed stations will be reopened with upgraded technology. There are 129 planned stations with already determined locations: 55 in North America, two in South America, one in Australia, 18 in Asia, and 53 in Europe (34 of which are in Germany). Distributed generation fuel cells: FCH JU A new study (http://tinyurl.com/fchju-DGreport) published by the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU, www.fch-ju. eu) outlines a pathway for commercialising stationary fuel cells in Europe. It analyses the current and future market potential for fuel cell distributed energy generation in Europe, benchmarks stationary fuel cell technologies against competing conventional technologies in a variety of applications, and assesses potential business models for commercialisation. The study, Advancing Europe’s energy systems: Stationary fuel cells in distributed generation, was sponsored by FCH JU and compiled by Roland Berger Strategy Consultants. It builds on an interactive approach involving more than 30 companies, institutions and associations from the stakeholder community of the European stationary fuel cell industry. By considering the results of the technological and commercial analysis, the study pinpoints focus areas for further R&D to sustain innovation, and provides recommendations for supportive policy frameworks. The FCH JU has also just published a report on the commercialisation of energy storage in Europe [summarised in this issue’s feature, on pages 14–16].
Fuel Cells Bulletin
11
Air Liquide hydrogen station for forklifts at FM Logistic in France
I
n France, Air Liquide has been chosen by FM Logistic to provide support for its projected deployment of hydrogenpowered forklift (pallet) trucks at its large 85 000 m2 (915 000 sq ft) Neuville-aux-Bois logistics platform, located near the city of Orléans. Air Liquide has installed a hydrogen refueling station that will initially service 10 fuel cell powered forklifts at the busy Neuville-aux-Bois logistics platform. Eventually, the facility’s 84 forklifts could be switched to hydrogen, which would make it the first logistics hub in Europe to convert its entire fleet of forklift trucks to hydrogen. The use of hydrogen at logistics hubs was first developed in the US and Canada, where more than 6000 materials handling vehicles are now running on hydrogen [see the fuel cell forklift features in FCB, September and October 2010]. FM Logistic anticipates gradually introducing hydrogen fuel cell materials handling vehicles at its other facilities, in particular at new sites with more than 50 pallet trucks. The fuel cell units for the forklifts are supplied by HyPulsion, a joint venture between Air Liquide subsidiary Axane and US-based Plug Power, which is developing, manufacturing and marketing a range of fuel cells for forklifts in the European market [FCB, November 2011, p3]. The fuel cells replace electric batteries, and offer flexibility and improved productivity due to the greater autonomy resulting from their use in forklifts. Air Liquide’s hydrogen station can fully refuel a forklift in just 3 minutes, for 9–10 hours of continuous operation. This project for the large-scale deployment of hydrogen fuel cells demonstrates the competitiveness of this solution for forklifts. It
10
Fuel Cells Bulletin
is the result of a cooperative effort involving the partners of the HAWL (Hydrogen And Warehouse Logistics) project, financed in part by the European Union. The HAWL project aims to support the launch of a European market for hydrogen fuel cell powered forklifts in logistics hubs. The project partners are forklift manufacturers Crown and Toyota Material Handling Europe, fuel cell module manufacturer HyPulsion, Air Liquide for the hydrogen station and the hydrogen, supply chain management services company Diagma, and enduser FM Logistic. Air Liquide, Hydrogen Filling Station: http://tinyurl.com/airliquide-h2filling HyPulsion: www.hypulsion.com FM Logistic: http://corporate.fmlogistic.com/eng-gb HAWL project: www.hawlproject.eu
CEP partner Shell opens new hydrogen station in Hamburg
S
hell Deutschland has boosted the growing hydrogen refueling infrastructure in Germany by opening a new hydrogen station in Hamburg, based on H2Station® technology from Danish company H2 Logic. The station is the latest addition to the Clean Energy Partnership (CEP), which has expanded to 20 member companies with the addition of OMV Deutschland GmbH, part of the Austrian oil & gas company. The station on Schnackenburgallee in west Hamburg is Shell’s third hydrogencapable service station in Germany, and the first with hydrogen produced onsite. The station is supported with funding from the National Organisation Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NOW GmbH). Other Shell hydrogen stations will follow soon in Frankfurt, Wuppertal, Geisingen, and Wendingen. As a member of the E350 million H2 Mobility Initiative in Germany – alongside Air Liquide, Daimler, Linde, OMV, and Total – Shell will help grow the public hydrogen infrastructure, which currently comprises 17 hydrogen stations. The goal is a nationwide network of 400 hydrogen stations by 2023, allowing fuel cell electric vehicles to refuel all over Germany [FCB, October 2013, p6]. Last autumn CEP reported continuing progress on its plan to roll out 50 new hydrogen stations across Germany by the end of 2015 [see the CEP feature in FCB, June 2011], with six additional stations announced for NordrheinWestfalen (NRW) and eight for Baden-
Württemberg [FCB, December 2014, p9]. The new 700 bar Hamburg station is the first in Germany to achieve CEP approval in accordance with the latest version of the SAE J2601 standard [FCB, August 2014, p7], following extensive third-party acceptance and verification tests. The station features onsite hydrogen production, which enables gridbalancing and storage by turning electricity production on/off as required, to help integrate the increasing share of fluctuating renewable electricity in Germany. In other news, CEP has added OMV Deutschland GmbH as a strong new partner for infrastructure development in Germany. In 2009 OMV opened the first public hydrogen station in Baden-Württemberg, at Stuttgart Airport, allowing fuel cell cars and buses to refuel with gaseous hydrogen at 350 and 700 bar [FCB, August 2009, p9]. This station is now part of the CEP hydrogen station network, and OMV plans to build three more stations in southern Germany. OMV is also planning to build a basic hydrogen mobility infrastructure in Austria. In addition to its existing hydrogen station in Vienna [FCB, November 2012, p5], between three and five additional stations will go into operation in the next few years, including one that will open shortly in Innsbruck. Clean Energy Partnership: www.cleanenergypartnership.de/en NOW GmbH: www.now-gmbh.de/en Shell, Hydrogen and Electrification: http://tinyurl.com/shell-h2 Shell Deutschland: www.shell.de (in German) H2 Logic: h2logic.com OMV Group: www.omv.com
Air Products hydrogen dispenser first on UK supermarket forecourt
T
he UK’s first supermarket hosted hydrogen station has opened, to kickstart a public hydrogen refueling network in London as part of the London Hydrogen Network Expansion (LHNE) project. The flagship Air Products SmartFuel® hydrogen dispenser is hosted by Sainsbury’s at its Hendon store. Owned and operated by Air Products, this latest addition strengthens an existing network of hydrogen stations in London, including a newly upgraded, publicly accessible dispenser at Heathrow [FCB, August 2014, p7]. Together these stations meet demand from a burgeoning number
April 2015
NEWS / IN BRIEF of hydrogen-powered fleets, ranging from taxis to delivery vans operated by Commercial Group [FCB, June 2014, p11], and a number of Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell cars [FCB, November 2014, p2]. ‘Encouraging people to consider and ultimately choose hydrogen as a transport fuel is an important part of London’s progression towards a low-carbon future,’ says Diana Raine, LHNE coordinator and Air Products’ hydrogen energy business manager. ‘By working with responsible partners such as Sainsbury’s and providing networks of fueling stations in convenient locations, we will be able to offer the public a real alternative to petrol.’ Hydrogen fueling technology can play an integral role in reducing CO2 emissions, as well as improving air quality and combating climate change. Drivers benefit from a quieter and more comfortable driving experience, because of the quiet operation and smooth acceleration of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. Refueling takes less than three minutes, and FCEVs offer the same range and speed as conventional vehicles. The 700 bar (10 000 psi) SmartFuel station at Hendon is being delivered as part of the London Hydrogen Network Expansion (LHNE) project, which aims to create the UK’s initial hydrogen transport system. The project is backed by the UK government, and co-funded by Innovate UK (formerly the Technology Strategy Board). The LHNE consortium, led by Air Products, is delivering a publicly accessible, state-of-the-art, fast-fill 350 and 700 bar hydrogen fueling station network over a three-year period. The creation of this network is particularly important, because the hydrogen FCEVs now coming to market require a 700 bar fueling system. Air Products has recently won two funding awards, to upgrade the Hendon and Heathrow stations as part of the London Hydrogen Network Upgrade, and to upgrade a mobile refueling station to support conferences and FCEV test drives [see page 9]. Air Products, Hydrogen Energy: www.airproducts.co.uk/h2energy Cenex, LHNE project: www.cenex.co.uk/research/hydrogen/lhne Innovate UK: www.innovateuk.org
ENERGY STORAGE
Scottish community energy project targets use of green hydrogen
T
he Levenmouth Community Energy Project in Fife, eastern Scotland will investigate the potential of hydrogen
April 2015
as a future fuel, with £4 million (US$6 million) in Scottish government funding through the Local Energy Challenge Fund. This pioneering industry development aims to shape the future prosperity of local communities through a number of green hydrogen projects in a redevelopment area of Methil. The Methil Docks site already has a 750 kW wind turbine and 30 kW water electrolysis system; the new project will install a 200 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation facility, 60 kW and 250 kW water electrolysis systems, hydrogen storage tanks, hydrogen stations, and fuel cells. Renewable energy generated by the wind and solar systems will be used to power the facility, and also to electrolyse water to produce hydrogen. Stored hydrogen will be supplied via hydrogen stations to 25 hybrid commercial vehicles powered by fuel cells and diesel engines, and also reconverted to electricity by fuel cells for use in the project’s facilities. The project is led by Bright Green Hydrogen, along with Fife Council (project support and provision of some vehicles), Toshiba, Leven Valley Development Trust, Fife College, BOC (for hydrogen transport), Green Business Fife, Community Energy Scotland, and the Scottish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (SHFCA). The project, which will run from April 2015 to March 2020, is based at the Hydrogen Office in Methil and run by Bright Green Hydrogen, which was previously known as The Hydrogen Office [FCB, February 2011, p9]. The new scheme involves the facility being developed into a leading demonstration of innovative applications of hydrogen derived from renewable sources. This includes Levenmouth becoming the home of Europe’s largest fleet of hydrogen dual-fuel vehicles, including 10 Ford Transits, 10 Renault Kangoo vans, and two refuse collection vehicles. Hydrogen refueling will be installed at both the Hydrogen Office and at the Fife Council vehicle depot at Bankhead in Glenrothes. Toshiba will deploy its hydrogen energy management system (H2 EMS), which is designed for optimal production and storage of hydrogen based on electricity supply and demand forecasts. Toshiba will also handle overall system control, allowing it to collect operating data from the entire system – including the H2 EMS, water electrolysis systems, and vehicles – for use in future projects [and see page 1]. Bright Green Hydrogen Ltd, Methil, Fife, Scotland, UK. Tel: +44 1333 439321, www.brightgreenhydrogen.org.uk Toshiba, Hydrogen Economy: www.toshiba.co.jp/newenergy/en/index.htm
IN BRIEF World added 17 hydrogen stations in 2014 The seventh annual assessment by www. H2stations.org, a website of Ludwig-BölkowSystemtechnik (LBST) and TÜV SÜD in Germany, reports that 17 new hydrogen refueling stations were opened throughout the world in 2014. About one-third of the newly operational stations are supplied by ‘green’ hydrogen, i.e. hydrogen produced using renewable energy. As of March 2015, the total number of hydrogen stations in operation is 184. Several countries are prioritising hydrogen refueling infrastructure development, which will see a rapid increase in the number of public stations. In North America two stations were inaugurated in 2014, three in Asia, and 12 in Europe. Based on information available to LBST, a total of 82 stations are currently operated in Europe, 63 in North America, one in South America, and 38 in Asia. Worldwide, 74 of these have public access, including 17 of the 29 stations in Germany. Some older stations, operated within specific projects which came to an end, were taken out of service last year. But Germany, California and Japan have ambitious programmes to extend their hydrogen infrastructure, so some of the currently closed stations will be reopened with upgraded technology. There are 129 planned stations with already determined locations: 55 in North America, two in South America, one in Australia, 18 in Asia, and 53 in Europe (34 of which are in Germany). Distributed generation fuel cells: FCH JU A new study (http://tinyurl.com/fchju-DGreport) published by the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU, www.fch-ju. eu) outlines a pathway for commercialising stationary fuel cells in Europe. It analyses the current and future market potential for fuel cell distributed energy generation in Europe, benchmarks stationary fuel cell technologies against competing conventional technologies in a variety of applications, and assesses potential business models for commercialisation. The study, Advancing Europe’s energy systems: Stationary fuel cells in distributed generation, was sponsored by FCH JU and compiled by Roland Berger Strategy Consultants. It builds on an interactive approach involving more than 30 companies, institutions and associations from the stakeholder community of the European stationary fuel cell industry. By considering the results of the technological and commercial analysis, the study pinpoints focus areas for further R&D to sustain innovation, and provides recommendations for supportive policy frameworks. The FCH JU has also just published a report on the commercialisation of energy storage in Europe [summarised in this issue’s feature, on pages 14–16].
Fuel Cells Bulletin
11