WeTheMarket
20 hours ago
Repost from PLUG board, courtesy of B_B!.
Amid Elon Musk's Visit To Beijing For FSD Push, China Is Eyeing 'Economical' Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles As Next Alternative For Green
Pooja Rajkumari April 29, 2024
Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently wrapped up his visit to China, sparking speculation about the introduction of the full-self driving (FSD) system in the country. However, this visit comes at a time when China’s auto sector is focusing on hydrogen-powered vehicles with policymakers introducing various incentives and business applications to position China as a global leader in this clean energy source.
What Happened: Both central and local governments in China are rolling out a range of incentives to encourage the use of hydrogen-powered vehicles, South China Morning Post reported recently.
For example, Sichuan province is contemplating the removal of highway tolls for these vehicles and lifting restrictions on their access within the city. The province also plans to construct hydrogen refuelling stations and offer subsidies based on the standards of the charging stations.
Hydrogen, a carbon-neutral energy source, allows quick refuelling, making it an ideal choice for large commercial vehicles. Guotai Junan Securities analyst Pang Junwen pointed out that Sichuan’s initiative could make hydrogen-powered vehicles a cost-effective alternative to diesel-fuelled trucks.
Sinopec, China’s largest oil and gas producer, has constructed 11 hydrogen fuel supply centres and 128 hydrogen refuelling stations. Recognizing hydrogen energy as a new frontier for emerging technologies and industries, China, already a significant producer of electric vehicles and lithium batteries, is keen to explore this avenue further.
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https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/04/38484139/amid-elon-musks-visit-to-beijing-for-fsd-push-china-is-eyeing-economical-hydrogen-powered-vehicles-a
WeTheMarket
20 hours ago
DNU, true, however, Nikola needs hydrogen refueling stations to be available now, regardless of ownership, in order to sell trucks. The trucks have an insatiable need for hydrogen supply, so once Nikola is able to sell thousands of trucks a year, and has funds, they'll be able to build their own refueling stations.
WeTheMarket
4 days ago
Air Products announces plans to build network of commercial-scale multi-modal H2 refueling stations
24 Apr 2024
https://h2-tech.com/news/2024/04-2024/air-products-announces-plans-to-build-network-of-commercial-scale-multi-modal-h-sub-2-sub-refueling-stations/
Air Products announced it intends to build a network of permanent, commercial-scale multi-modal H2 refueling stations stretching from Edmonton to Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
“With abundant resources, tremendous talent, and forward-thinking governments, Canada is driving the clean energy transition forward,” said Seifi Ghasemi, Air Products’ Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Last year, Air Products announced our continued investment in Western Canada with the first permanent, commercial-scale H2 refueling station in Alberta. Today, we build on that commitment with plans to build additional commercial-scale multi-modal H2 refueling stations, developing a H2 highway connecting Alberta’s two largest cities and enabling the continued development of the region’s H2 ecosystem.”
The permanent, multi-modal H2 refueling stations will be equipped to serve heavy-duty vehicles, such as commercial and municipal trucks and buses, as well light-duty H2 fuel cell cars. The stations will be along the Queen Elizabeth II Highway that runs through Calgary and Edmonton, providing a fueling experience and speed that is similar to gasoline or diesel. This H2 infrastructure will help Western Canada reach a goal of 5,000 H2 or dual fuel vehicles on the road in five years.
“Each of our state-of-the-art, high-capacity, high-reliability stations will be able to fuel up to 200 heavy-duty trucks or 2,000 cars per day,” noted Rachel Smith, vice president and general manager, Air Products Canada. “In Canada, H2 is essential to decarbonizing transportation where heavy-duty vehicles travel long distances in extreme temperatures. We are excited to be activating Canada’s first H2 corridor here in Alberta.”
The first of Air Products’ permanent H2 refueling stations, located in Edmonton, near the site of the Company’s landmark net-zero H2 energy complex that is under construction, is scheduled to be onstream in 2025. Currently, Air Products has placed a temporary, H2 mobile fueler on the site that is supplying customers. The permanent Edmonton H2 refueling station is supported in part by $1 million (CAD) in funding from Natural Resources Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program.
Hon. Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Canada, said, “The development and deployment of H2 presents an enormous economic and environmental opportunity for Canadians. The federal government is prepared to seize this opportunity, and today’s announcement by Air Products shows that Canadian companies and innovators are also continuing to lead the way on H2. I congratulate Air Products on today’s exciting announcement. Together, we will continue to establish Canada as a leading producer and supplier of H2 on our path to net-zero by 2050.”
Hon. Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta, said, “H2 is a fuel of the future and our government is fully on-board with efforts to pursue early adoption of H2 technology. I’m thrilled that Air Products is working toward development of a H2 highway between Edmonton and Calgary. This will help grow Alberta’s H2 ecosystem and spur on additional interest, investment, and progress in the H2 space.”
Hon. Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, said, “This is exciting news and a great leap forward in growing the use of H2 as a transportation fuel in Alberta. By adding H2 fueling infrastructure along Alberta’s busiest transportation corridor, Air Products is helping to clear the way for H2-powered vehicles as a viable clean alternative to EVs. Alberta’s government knows H2 has the potential to be a major source of clean energy here at home and around the world, and today’s announcement is helping to turn that vision into reality.”
Jim Wood, Mayor of Red Deer County, said, “Red Deer County takes pride in supporting trucking and logistics; we are excited that future trucks driving along the QE2 will have easy access to a clean alternative energy fuel source.”
Malcolm Bruce, CEO of Edmonton Global, said, "Air Products' bold initiative to build a network of multi-modal H2 refueling stations between the Edmonton region and Calgary marks a significant leap forward in Canada's clean energy journey and the 5,000 H2 Vehicle Challenge. Announcements like these will help us in reaching our goal of having 5,000 H2 or dual-fuel vehicles on the road in Western Canada in five years. By connecting our two largest cities with this H2 highway, we're not just fostering innovation; we're catalyzing a sustainable future. This investment underscores our shared commitment to advancing green technologies and propelling Alberta to the forefront of the H2 revolution. Canada's path to net-zero truly runs through the Edmonton region."
In addition, Air Products has a H2 mobile fueler at the Edmonton International Airport to provide H2 for the airport’s fleet of Toyota Mirai H2 fuel cell vehicles as well as a mobile fueler located on Aurum Road ready to serve the broader Edmonton market.
As the world’s largest supplier of H2, Air Products has hands-on operating experience with over 250 H2 fueling station projects in 20 countries and the company’s technologies are used in over 1.5 million fueling operations annually.
WeTheMarket
6 days ago
FirstElement Fuel, World-Leader in Hydrogen Refueling Solutions, Selected as a Top 40 US GreenTech Company by Time Magazine
Apr 22, 2024
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/firstelement-fuel-world-leader-in-hydrogen-refueling-solutions-selected-as-a-top-40-us-greentech-company-by-time-magazine-302122746.html
Relevant excerpt:
FEF's many accomplishments and contributions to the hydrogen refueling space include the design and deployment of the world's first high-capacity HRS capable of refueling 4 vehicles simultaneously; best-in-class performance and availability of HRS; and next month the company will open the world's largest heavy-duty truck HRS with the capability of refueling heavy-duty, medium-duty, and light-duty vehicle classes. The HRS is part of a public and private partnership titled NorCAL ZERO, which was jointly funded by the California Energy Commission (CEC) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and is being managed by the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE). FEF designed the station with a unique architecture, making it the first station in the world capable of conducting 700 bar, simultaneous, fast fills (i.e., delivering 80 kilograms of hydrogen in under 10 minutes) on up to 200 trucks per day.
WeTheMarket
6 days ago
Compressor drives for hydrogen filling stations: scalable, robust and compact
Manuela Kessler
22.04.2024
https://www.boschrexroth.com/de/de/unternehmen/presse/produktportfolio-wasserstoff-25088.html
Servo-hydraulic drives for hydrogen compressors and cryogenic pumps increase efficiency and shorten tank cycles
Together with partner companies from the hydrogen economy, Bosch Rexroth has developed a scalable portfolio of servo-hydraulic compressor drives in the power range between 10 and 280 kW. (Image source: Bosch Rexroth AG)
Within the next six years, several thousand hydrogen filling stations are to go into operation worldwide, thus making an important contribution to the decarbonization of the mobility sector. To this end, Bosch Rexroth has developed a scalable portfolio of servo-hydraulic compressor drives in the power range between 10 and 280 kW together with partner companies from the hydrogen economy. A new cryogenic pump, for example, compresses liquid hydrogen directly to 875 bar, enabling the direct refueling of heavy-duty commercial vehicles within a few minutes.
Long service life and start-stop operation, high efficiency with low hydrogen losses and low operating costs: OEMs and operators are looking for solutions that can be implemented quickly and economically for the cost-effective operation of hydrogen filling stations. Based on its decades of experience in electrohydraulics, Bosch Rexroth has developed tailor-made solutions for a cost-effective hydrogen infrastructure together with partner companies.
To achieve this, the company relies on servo-hydraulic drive technology with a continuously adjustable hydrostatic transmission. The robust hydraulics achieve a long service life. Long-stroke, ATEX-certified compressor drive cylinders increase conveying rates through end-position-optimized control. The portfolio covers the power range between 10 and 280 kW and various applications.
New cryogenic pump: 100 kg of hydrogen can be filled up in 10 minutes
Bosch Rexroth is developing the new electrohydraulically driven cryogenic pump in partnership with FirstElement Fuel, the market leader for the commercial operation of hydrogen filling stations in the United States. With a connected load of 280 kW, it compresses liquid hydrogen to 875 bar for the direct refuelling of heavy trucks. The aim is to refuel the vehicles with 100 kg of hydrogen within 10 minutes. Direct refuelling eliminates the need for intermediate storage at petrol stations. The first filling stations will be equipped from 2025.
Bosch Rexroth also offers variants developed in collaboration with partner companies for medium and lower outputs. The 75 kW CytroCore compressor drive can be used for the compression of both liquid and gaseous hydrogen. In the lower power range of 10 kW, a ready-to-connect self-sufficient axle, CytroForce, drives the compressor cylinders. No specific hydraulics know-how is required for either solution.
Standard modules in hardware and software can be finely scaled
For optimum energy efficiency, Bosch Rexroth relies on the so-called positive displacement control. In contrast to throttle control, which is used in most industrial hydraulic systems, position and force control is implemented by means of servo-hydraulic pump control. This control concept reduces energy consumption by approx. 75%. In addition, the compressor drives require less than one square meter of floor space and are much quieter than conventional drive systems. After the one-time parameterization, they are immediately ready for use. They communicate with the control system of the hydrogen filling station via open interfaces. All modules continuously record operating data and thus create the conditions for systematic condition monitoring and predictive maintenance for maximum availability with the digital service CytroConnect.
Bosch Rexroth can configure the standard drives in its portfolio in hardware and software to suit specific applications, thus meeting the requirements of users precisely. The compressor drives simplify the system architecture and operability of hydrogen filling stations and are suitable for both established companies in the hydrogen economy and newcomers.