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France unveils its first fuel cell bus, dedicated hydrogen station
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Solaris unveils Urbino 12 hydrogen bus, wins Bolzano, RATP orders
P
olish bus builder Solaris Bus & Coach gave the world premiere to its Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen fuel cell electric bus at the recent UITP Global Public Transport Summit 2019 in Stockholm, Sweden. Solaris gained its first experience in hydrogen when it designed battery electric vehicles using fuel cell range-extenders. As part of the Joint Initiative for hydrogen Vehicles across Europe (JIVE) [see the News Feature in FCB, February 2017, and March 2018, p2], Solaris supplied two Urbino 18.75 fuel cell buses to Hamburg in Germany [January 2015, p2], and 10 trolley buses with hydrogen-based range-extenders to Riga in Latvia [December 2016, p3]. The new Urbino 12 hydrogen bus – which can carry up to 87 passengers – is fitted with the latest-generation FCmove™-HD 60 kW PEM fuel cell power plant manufactured by Canadian-based Ballard Power Systems [see page 12]. The bus also features a small Solaris High Power traction battery, to support the fuel cell in energy demand peaks. The battery is charged using power derived from hydrogen and through regenerative braking, or even using a plug-in socket. An axle with integrated electric motors complements the driveline. The hydrogen is stored at 350 bar in five 312 litre tanks on the roof. The use of Type IV hydrogen tanks has reduced the mass of the cylinders by c.20% compared to the previous model. The composite tanks, placed longitudinally above the vehicle’s first axle, provide a hydrogen storage capacity of 36.8 kg. A multifunctional valve installed at the end of each tank features a range of safety elements, including an overload valve to cut off the hydrogen flow in case of leakage. The vehicle also has a climate comfort system with a CO2 heat pump using ‘waste’ heat from the fuel cell, to ensure very high
July 2019
energy efficiency and further increase the driving range, up to 350 km (220 miles). Public transport operator SASA SpA-AG in Bolzano, Italy has placed the first order for the Urbino 12 hydrogen bus, for 12 vehicles. The contract includes an eightyear service and maintenance package, and specialist driver and workshop personnel training to emphasise the safety aspects of using and servicing hydrogen vehicles. And during the UITP Summit, Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP) in Paris, France signed a contract for lease and tests of the Urbino 12 hydrogen bus. The public transport operator will test the Urbino 12 hydrogen bus in regular passenger service for 10 weeks in April–June 2020. Solaris Bus & Coach: www.solarisbus.com SASA SpA-AG: www.sasabz.it [in German or Italian] RATP: www.ratp.fr/en
France unveils its first fuel cell bus, dedicated hydrogen station
T
he first Safra fuel cell electric bus, fitted with a Michelin/Symbio fuel cell system, has been unveiled in Houdain, in northern France. The event also saw the inauguration of the first French hydrogen refueling station specifically for buses, using McPhy equipment. Together these represent a major demonstration of French capabilities for this type of vehicle and the requisite infrastructure. Bus manufacturer Safra partnered with hydrogen systems specialist Symbio – a Michelin subsidiary [FCB, March 2019, p1] – to develop the wholly French-made, hydrogenelectric Businova Hydrogen bus. The bus carries 28 kg of hydrogen at 350 bar, giving a range up to 300 km (186 miles) per day, with refueling in less than 15 minutes. Safra and Michelin/Symbio have used a ‘smart’ hybrid system, with battery capacity and fuel cell size designed to optimise vehicle cost. The powertrain integrates a 30 kW PEM fuel cell – featuring the H2Motiv module [July 2018, p3] – and a ‘mid-power’ 132 kWh battery pack. This means that the bus carries less hydrogen than a ‘Full Power’ solution (using a large fuel cell and a small battery), reducing refueling time and making it suitable for medium-capacity fueling stations (<80 kg/day). Six Businova Hydrogen buses have been delivered to the Artois-Gohelle transport authority (SMT-AG), based in Lens in the
EDITORIAL
B
uses are the subject of several news items in this issue, as public transport demonstrations around the world take a major step forward. The biggest announcement is the launch of the European H2Bus consortium, which will deploy 1000 hydrogen fuel cell buses, with supporting infrastructure, in European cities at commercially competitive rates [page 2]. The first phase will deliver 600 buses, with 200 buses and supporting infrastructure in each of Denmark, Latvia, and the UK by 2023. Aberdeen in Scotland has ordered 15 Wrightbus fuel cell double-decker buses, which will join its existing fleet of 10 fuel cell buses [page 1]. This addition is part of the Joint Initiative for hydrogen Vehicles in Europe (JIVE), which aims to roll out 140 fuel cell buses in five European countries by the end of 2022. Together, the H2Bus and JIVE/ JIVE2 projects will see 1300 fuel cell buses in operation in Europe. Solaris Bus & Coach has unveiled its Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen fuel cell bus [page 3], fitted with the latest FCmove™-HD PEM fuel cell power plant from Ballard Power Systems [page 12]. SASA SpA-AG in Bolzano, Italy has placed the first order, for 12 buses, and RATP will lease and test the bus in Paris, France. In France, Safra has unveiled its first fuel cell bus, fitted with a Michelin/Symbio fuel cell system, alongside the first French hydrogen station specifically for buses, which uses McPhy equipment [page 3]. Together these represent a major demonstration of French capabilities for this type of vehicle and hydrogen infrastructure. Six Safra Businova Hydrogen buses have been delivered to SMTAG in Lens; a further five will be delivered to BE Green in the Paris region, and one to Le Mans. In South Korea, Hyundai Motor Company has delivered the first of five commercial fuel cell buses for Changwon City [In Brief, page 15], kicking off Korean government plans to begin operating 35 buses in seven cities this year. Hyundai Motor plans to produce more than 300 fuel cell buses per annum from 2020. Chinese automaker SAIC Motor showcased its Sunwin fuel cell bus at the recent opening of a hydrogen refueling station – claimed to be the world’s largest – in Shanghai [page 9]. The Sunwin bus started commercial operation in Jiading, Shanghai in late 2018. And the first integrated hydrogen production plant and refueling station in South East Asia has opened in Kuching, capital of Sarawak state in Malaysia, to initially serve three fuel cell buses and two fuel cell cars [page 9].
Steve Barrett
Fuel Cells Bulletin
3
NEWS northeastern Pas-de-Calais department, for deployment on the new BHNS (High Level Service Bus) line connecting Bruay-La-Buissière and Auchel [June 2018, p4]. A further five buses will be delivered to passenger transport vehicle rental company BE Green in the Yvelines department, near Paris, and one to Le Mans in the Sarthe department. The Businova rollout is part of the National Hydrogen Plan, launched last June [July 2018, p10], which aims to deploy 800 heavy-duty vehicles (including buses) by 2023, and another 800–2000 by 2028. AFHYPAC, the French Association for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells, has launched its ‘1000 bus plan’ to support this objective. SMT-AG has also inaugurated France’s first hydrogen refueling station for buses, to serve the new bus fleet. The design, supply, installation and maintenance of the HoudainDivion hydrogen station was contracted to Engie subsidiary GNVERT, which has equipped it with McLyzer and McFilling technologies from McPhy. ‘Green’ hydrogen will be produced onsite by electrolysis using renewable electricity of certified French origin. In its current configuration, the McPhy station can produce and deliver more than 200 kg of hydrogen per day. Its capacity can be increased by 30% without changing the facility’s total surface area, if required by SMT-AG in the future. Safra Group: www.safra.fr/en Businova Hydrogen bus: www.businova.com/en Symbio: www.symbio.one/en SMT-AG: www.smt-artois-gohelle.fr [in French] McPhy: https://mcphy.com Engie: www.engie.com/en GNVERT: www.engie.fr/gaz-naturel/gnvert [in French]
MOBILE APPLICATIONS
HydroFLEX train gets go-ahead for mainline testing in UK
R
ail leasing company Porterbrook and the University of Birmingham’s Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE) will test the UK’s first hydrogen train, called HydroFLEX, on the mainline railway following a successful proof-of-concept. The mainline testing of HydroFLEX marks a key step in the development of a zero-carbon emissions propulsion system that could help to decarbonise Britain’s railways [e.g. FCB, April 4
Fuel Cells Bulletin
2017, p4 and March 2019, p5]. The HydroFLEX pilot involves fitting a hydrogen PEM fuel cell power pack to an existing Class 319 train, which would eventually allow it to run on conventional electrified routes as well as independently. This results in a highly flexible train that can operate on different parts of the UK rail network. The HydroFLEX project team includes Chrysalis Rail for installation, Denchi Group for traction batteries, Ballard Power Systems for the fuel cell [January 2019, p4], Luxfer for hydrogen storage tanks, DG8 for design support, Derby Engineering Unit for panels and brackets, SNC Lavalin for design and hazard identifications, Aura for exterior livery design, and DB Cargo Crewe for recommissioning of the unit. Fuel Cell Systems Ltd is providing a mobile hydrogen refueling service for the train. The project has recently been awarded funding from Innovate UK through its ‘First of a Kind’ competition, to take the prototype forward for mainline testing. Porterbrook Leasing Company Ltd: www.porterbrook.co.uk Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education: www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/railway/ index.aspx Ballard Power Systems: www.ballard.com Fuel Cell Systems Ltd: www.fuelcellsystems.co.uk
GGZEM hydrogen fuel cell ferry under construction in SF Bay
C
alifornia-based investment platform SW/TCH Maritime is investing to construct and own the Water-Go-Round hydrogen fuel cell powered e-ferry in San Francisco Bay, in collaboration with Golden Gate Zero Emission Marine (GGZEM). The zero-emissions ferry will act as the flagship vessel for SW/TCH’s fleet, an important first step in a concerted effort to curb transportation emissions while mitigating roadway congestion in the largest urban centres across the country. The 84-passenger ferry is currently under construction at the Bay Ship & Yacht shipyard in Alameda, using private funding from SW/TCH and a $3 million grant from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) [FCB, July 2018, p14]. The project leverages technology from partners including GGZEM, BAE Systems, and Hydrogenics. SW/TCH is partnering with Connecticutbased Clean Marine Energy (CME) to develop onshore electric charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure. With backing from the same founders, CME plans to make clean fueling infrastructure available in several US ports.
Golden Gate Zero Emission Marine is developing turnkey hydrogen fuel cell power systems for ships. The company was set up by Dr Joe Pratt when he left Sandia National Laboratories, where he led the SF-BREEZE project to focus on the optimal combination of vessel design, speed and passenger capacity for such vessels [August 2017, p12]. SW/TCH Maritime: www.switchmaritime.com Golden Gate Zero Emission Marine: https://ggzeromarine.com Clean Marine Energy: www.cleanmarineenergy.com Hydrogenics Corporation: www.hydrogenics.com
SMALL STATIONARY
Miura to launch CHP unit using Ceres SOFC for buildings in Japan
J
apanese industrial boiler manufacturer Miura Co Ltd will launch its FC-5B fuel cell combined heat and power (CHP) system in October, featuring intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cell technology developed by UK-based Ceres Power. The new system is a 4.2 kW CHP product targeting the commercial building sector in Japan. The unit will operate on mains natural gas and provide both clean energy and hot water to commercial buildings, in a highly efficient and low-carbon manner. The system will also provide businesses with greater certainty of supply, as commercial users can access the electricity and hot water produced by the unit from the existing city gas supply even during power outages, aiding business continuity. The new model offers several improvements over Miura’s first SOFC system, the FC-5A, which was developed with support from the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) in Japan [FCB, September 2017, p8]. These include a higher electrical efficiency of 50% net AC (LHV). By capturing the exhaust heat to heat water, the overall efficiency of the system reaches 90%. Ceres Power’s SteelCell® technology features a highly durable IT-SOFC stack which is manufactured using standard processes and conventional materials such as steel. The partnership combines this innovative technology with Miura’s capabilities in thermofluid engineering, mechanical design, and system integration. The product launch is the culmination of a collaboration between Ceres and Miura first announced in December 2016
July 2019
Solaris unveils Urbino 12 hydrogen bus, wins Bolzano, RATP orders
P
olish bus builder Solaris Bus & Coach gave the world premiere to its Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen fuel cell electric bus at the recent UITP Global Public Transport Summit 2019 in Stockholm, Sweden. Solaris gained its first experience in hydrogen when it designed battery electric vehicles using fuel cell range-extenders. As part of the Joint Initiative for hydrogen Vehicles across Europe (JIVE) [see the News Feature in FCB, February 2017, and March 2018, p2], Solaris supplied two Urbino 18.75 fuel cell buses to Hamburg in Germany [January 2015, p2], and 10 trolley buses with hydrogen-based range-extenders to Riga in Latvia [December 2016, p3]. The new Urbino 12 hydrogen bus – which can carry up to 87 passengers – is fitted with the latest-generation FCmove™-HD 60 kW PEM fuel cell power plant manufactured by Canadian-based Ballard Power Systems [see page 12]. The bus also features a small Solaris High Power traction battery, to support the fuel cell in energy demand peaks. The battery is charged using power derived from hydrogen and through regenerative braking, or even using a plug-in socket. An axle with integrated electric motors complements the driveline. The hydrogen is stored at 350 bar in five 312 litre tanks on the roof. The use of Type IV hydrogen tanks has reduced the mass of the cylinders by c.20% compared to the previous model. The composite tanks, placed longitudinally above the vehicle’s first axle, provide a hydrogen storage capacity of 36.8 kg. A multifunctional valve installed at the end of each tank features a range of safety elements, including an overload valve to cut off the hydrogen flow in case of leakage. The vehicle also has a climate comfort system with a CO2 heat pump using ‘waste’ heat from the fuel cell, to ensure very high
July 2019
energy efficiency and further increase the driving range, up to 350 km (220 miles). Public transport operator SASA SpA-AG in Bolzano, Italy has placed the first order for the Urbino 12 hydrogen bus, for 12 vehicles. The contract includes an eightyear service and maintenance package, and specialist driver and workshop personnel training to emphasise the safety aspects of using and servicing hydrogen vehicles. And during the UITP Summit, Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP) in Paris, France signed a contract for lease and tests of the Urbino 12 hydrogen bus. The public transport operator will test the Urbino 12 hydrogen bus in regular passenger service for 10 weeks in April–June 2020. Solaris Bus & Coach: www.solarisbus.com SASA SpA-AG: www.sasabz.it [in German or Italian] RATP: www.ratp.fr/en
France unveils its first fuel cell bus, dedicated hydrogen station
T
he first Safra fuel cell electric bus, fitted with a Michelin/Symbio fuel cell system, has been unveiled in Houdain, in northern France. The event also saw the inauguration of the first French hydrogen refueling station specifically for buses, using McPhy equipment. Together these represent a major demonstration of French capabilities for this type of vehicle and the requisite infrastructure. Bus manufacturer Safra partnered with hydrogen systems specialist Symbio – a Michelin subsidiary [FCB, March 2019, p1] – to develop the wholly French-made, hydrogenelectric Businova Hydrogen bus. The bus carries 28 kg of hydrogen at 350 bar, giving a range up to 300 km (186 miles) per day, with refueling in less than 15 minutes. Safra and Michelin/Symbio have used a ‘smart’ hybrid system, with battery capacity and fuel cell size designed to optimise vehicle cost. The powertrain integrates a 30 kW PEM fuel cell – featuring the H2Motiv module [July 2018, p3] – and a ‘mid-power’ 132 kWh battery pack. This means that the bus carries less hydrogen than a ‘Full Power’ solution (using a large fuel cell and a small battery), reducing refueling time and making it suitable for medium-capacity fueling stations (<80 kg/day). Six Businova Hydrogen buses have been delivered to the Artois-Gohelle transport authority (SMT-AG), based in Lens in the
EDITORIAL
B
uses are the subject of several news items in this issue, as public transport demonstrations around the world take a major step forward. The biggest announcement is the launch of the European H2Bus consortium, which will deploy 1000 hydrogen fuel cell buses, with supporting infrastructure, in European cities at commercially competitive rates [page 2]. The first phase will deliver 600 buses, with 200 buses and supporting infrastructure in each of Denmark, Latvia, and the UK by 2023. Aberdeen in Scotland has ordered 15 Wrightbus fuel cell double-decker buses, which will join its existing fleet of 10 fuel cell buses [page 1]. This addition is part of the Joint Initiative for hydrogen Vehicles in Europe (JIVE), which aims to roll out 140 fuel cell buses in five European countries by the end of 2022. Together, the H2Bus and JIVE/ JIVE2 projects will see 1300 fuel cell buses in operation in Europe. Solaris Bus & Coach has unveiled its Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen fuel cell bus [page 3], fitted with the latest FCmove™-HD PEM fuel cell power plant from Ballard Power Systems [page 12]. SASA SpA-AG in Bolzano, Italy has placed the first order, for 12 buses, and RATP will lease and test the bus in Paris, France. In France, Safra has unveiled its first fuel cell bus, fitted with a Michelin/Symbio fuel cell system, alongside the first French hydrogen station specifically for buses, which uses McPhy equipment [page 3]. Together these represent a major demonstration of French capabilities for this type of vehicle and hydrogen infrastructure. Six Safra Businova Hydrogen buses have been delivered to SMTAG in Lens; a further five will be delivered to BE Green in the Paris region, and one to Le Mans. In South Korea, Hyundai Motor Company has delivered the first of five commercial fuel cell buses for Changwon City [In Brief, page 15], kicking off Korean government plans to begin operating 35 buses in seven cities this year. Hyundai Motor plans to produce more than 300 fuel cell buses per annum from 2020. Chinese automaker SAIC Motor showcased its Sunwin fuel cell bus at the recent opening of a hydrogen refueling station – claimed to be the world’s largest – in Shanghai [page 9]. The Sunwin bus started commercial operation in Jiading, Shanghai in late 2018. And the first integrated hydrogen production plant and refueling station in South East Asia has opened in Kuching, capital of Sarawak state in Malaysia, to initially serve three fuel cell buses and two fuel cell cars [page 9].
Steve Barrett
Fuel Cells Bulletin
3
NEWS northeastern Pas-de-Calais department, for deployment on the new BHNS (High Level Service Bus) line connecting Bruay-La-Buissière and Auchel [June 2018, p4]. A further five buses will be delivered to passenger transport vehicle rental company BE Green in the Yvelines department, near Paris, and one to Le Mans in the Sarthe department. The Businova rollout is part of the National Hydrogen Plan, launched last June [July 2018, p10], which aims to deploy 800 heavy-duty vehicles (including buses) by 2023, and another 800–2000 by 2028. AFHYPAC, the French Association for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells, has launched its ‘1000 bus plan’ to support this objective. SMT-AG has also inaugurated France’s first hydrogen refueling station for buses, to serve the new bus fleet. The design, supply, installation and maintenance of the HoudainDivion hydrogen station was contracted to Engie subsidiary GNVERT, which has equipped it with McLyzer and McFilling technologies from McPhy. ‘Green’ hydrogen will be produced onsite by electrolysis using renewable electricity of certified French origin. In its current configuration, the McPhy station can produce and deliver more than 200 kg of hydrogen per day. Its capacity can be increased by 30% without changing the facility’s total surface area, if required by SMT-AG in the future. Safra Group: www.safra.fr/en Businova Hydrogen bus: www.businova.com/en Symbio: www.symbio.one/en SMT-AG: www.smt-artois-gohelle.fr [in French] McPhy: https://mcphy.com Engie: www.engie.com/en GNVERT: www.engie.fr/gaz-naturel/gnvert [in French]
MOBILE APPLICATIONS
HydroFLEX train gets go-ahead for mainline testing in UK
R
ail leasing company Porterbrook and the University of Birmingham’s Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE) will test the UK’s first hydrogen train, called HydroFLEX, on the mainline railway following a successful proof-of-concept. The mainline testing of HydroFLEX marks a key step in the development of a zero-carbon emissions propulsion system that could help to decarbonise Britain’s railways [e.g. FCB, April 4
Fuel Cells Bulletin
2017, p4 and March 2019, p5]. The HydroFLEX pilot involves fitting a hydrogen PEM fuel cell power pack to an existing Class 319 train, which would eventually allow it to run on conventional electrified routes as well as independently. This results in a highly flexible train that can operate on different parts of the UK rail network. The HydroFLEX project team includes Chrysalis Rail for installation, Denchi Group for traction batteries, Ballard Power Systems for the fuel cell [January 2019, p4], Luxfer for hydrogen storage tanks, DG8 for design support, Derby Engineering Unit for panels and brackets, SNC Lavalin for design and hazard identifications, Aura for exterior livery design, and DB Cargo Crewe for recommissioning of the unit. Fuel Cell Systems Ltd is providing a mobile hydrogen refueling service for the train. The project has recently been awarded funding from Innovate UK through its ‘First of a Kind’ competition, to take the prototype forward for mainline testing. Porterbrook Leasing Company Ltd: www.porterbrook.co.uk Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education: www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/railway/ index.aspx Ballard Power Systems: www.ballard.com Fuel Cell Systems Ltd: www.fuelcellsystems.co.uk
GGZEM hydrogen fuel cell ferry under construction in SF Bay
C
alifornia-based investment platform SW/TCH Maritime is investing to construct and own the Water-Go-Round hydrogen fuel cell powered e-ferry in San Francisco Bay, in collaboration with Golden Gate Zero Emission Marine (GGZEM). The zero-emissions ferry will act as the flagship vessel for SW/TCH’s fleet, an important first step in a concerted effort to curb transportation emissions while mitigating roadway congestion in the largest urban centres across the country. The 84-passenger ferry is currently under construction at the Bay Ship & Yacht shipyard in Alameda, using private funding from SW/TCH and a $3 million grant from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) [FCB, July 2018, p14]. The project leverages technology from partners including GGZEM, BAE Systems, and Hydrogenics. SW/TCH is partnering with Connecticutbased Clean Marine Energy (CME) to develop onshore electric charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure. With backing from the same founders, CME plans to make clean fueling infrastructure available in several US ports.
Golden Gate Zero Emission Marine is developing turnkey hydrogen fuel cell power systems for ships. The company was set up by Dr Joe Pratt when he left Sandia National Laboratories, where he led the SF-BREEZE project to focus on the optimal combination of vessel design, speed and passenger capacity for such vessels [August 2017, p12]. SW/TCH Maritime: www.switchmaritime.com Golden Gate Zero Emission Marine: https://ggzeromarine.com Clean Marine Energy: www.cleanmarineenergy.com Hydrogenics Corporation: www.hydrogenics.com
SMALL STATIONARY
Miura to launch CHP unit using Ceres SOFC for buildings in Japan
J
apanese industrial boiler manufacturer Miura Co Ltd will launch its FC-5B fuel cell combined heat and power (CHP) system in October, featuring intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cell technology developed by UK-based Ceres Power. The new system is a 4.2 kW CHP product targeting the commercial building sector in Japan. The unit will operate on mains natural gas and provide both clean energy and hot water to commercial buildings, in a highly efficient and low-carbon manner. The system will also provide businesses with greater certainty of supply, as commercial users can access the electricity and hot water produced by the unit from the existing city gas supply even during power outages, aiding business continuity. The new model offers several improvements over Miura’s first SOFC system, the FC-5A, which was developed with support from the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) in Japan [FCB, September 2017, p8]. These include a higher electrical efficiency of 50% net AC (LHV). By capturing the exhaust heat to heat water, the overall efficiency of the system reaches 90%. Ceres Power’s SteelCell® technology features a highly durable IT-SOFC stack which is manufactured using standard processes and conventional materials such as steel. The partnership combines this innovative technology with Miura’s capabilities in thermofluid engineering, mechanical design, and system integration. The product launch is the culmination of a collaboration between Ceres and Miura first announced in December 2016
July 2019