Infrastructure continues to be identified as a major challenge in developing the hydrogen energy economy across a number of end markets. Early technology demonstration programs sponsored by federal, state, and local agencies have provided hydrogen infrastructure developers with the opportunity to gain valuable experience regarding the supply chain associated with the production, distribution, and dispensing of hydrogen for the developing fuel cell electric vehicle market.
As the transition for the automotive market continues to move forward, fuel cell powered systems have already made their way into the material handling (fork-lift truck, automated guided vehicles), stationary power, cell tower, and other markets to build infrastructure experience and capacity. All these associated fuel cell markets present similar hydrogen infrastructure and supply chain challenges, but on a much smaller scale.
Hydrogen product supply and fueling station infrastructure at today’s scale can be expensive, so costs must be economized to support and help accelerate market growth. For on-site hydrogen generation, equipment purchases at the low volume station specifications are skewed toward minimizing capacity to provide the lowest total costs, and to balance hydrogen fuel supply to fuel cell vehicle hydrogen demand. Usually, any appreciable growth beyond original fueling station capacity has required significant equipment for expansion. Many times these station adjustments also surround hydrogen storage issues.
Air Products has been a key player in many hydrogen energy developments across several market end uses. As the leading hydrogen supplier to refineries to assist in making cleaner burning transportation fuels, the company also has unique experience in the hydrogen fueling industry. Air Products has been involved in over 150 hydrogen fueling projects in the United States and 19 countries worldwide. Use of the company’s fueling technology is increasing with over 500,000 hydrogen fills per year, and several sites today for certain hydrogen fueling applications are fueling at rates of over 75,000 refills per year.
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