Alfa Laval, along with eight other industrial companies, has joined forces to develop high-capacity hydrogen refuelling stations for heavy-duty vehicles.
This collaborative project, supported by the EU’s HORIZON Europe funding program, aims to accelerate the transportation sector’s transition to sustainable energy sources like hydrogen. The goal is to create refuelling stations capable of safely refuelling 100kg of hydrogen in under 10 minutes, a significant challenge that requires advanced heat exchange technology. The project, spanning four years, is set to make a significant impact on the hydrogen mobility market.
As the world strives to combat climate change and achieve sustainable development goals, finding alternatives to fossil fuels is crucial. Hydrogen is emerging as a promising clean energy source, particularly for heavy-duty vehicles like trucks and buses. However, the lack of a well-established refuelling infrastructure has been a significant barrier to widespread adoption. This collaboration aims to address that challenge and enable the transformation to a more sustainable transportation sector.
The primary focus of the collaboration project is to develop and test high-capacity hydrogen refuelling stations. These stations must meet the critical requirement of safely refuelling 100kg of hydrogen in less than 10 minutes. Achieving this goal requires advanced heat exchanger technology, as the hydrogen must be cooled down to -30°C before being injected into the vehicle tank. The project will involve research and development activities, prototyping, and the creation of two operating demo stations.
Alfa Laval’s participation in the consortium brings valuable expertise in heat exchanger technology. By collaborating with key industry players such as ENGIE, HRS, FAURECIA, LAUDA, ZBT, EMERSON, TESCOM, and BENKEI, the project aims to leverage collective knowledge and experience to drive innovation in the hydrogen mobility market. Alfa Laval’s involvement ensures that their heat exchangers meet industry requirements and contribute to the development of safe and efficient refuelling stations.
The EU’s HORIZON Europe funding program fully funds the research and development activities for the high-capacity prototype stations. This support highlights the EU’s commitment to tackling climate change, achieving sustainable development goals, and enhancing the region’s competitiveness and growth. The four-year project, spanning from 2023 to 2027, aims to make significant progress in advancing hydrogen refuelling infrastructure and accelerating the adoption of hydrogen-powered heavy-duty vehicles.
Developing high-capacity hydrogen refuelling stations comes with its challenges. Ensuring the safety and reliability of the stations, managing cooling requirements, and establishing a robust supply chain for hydrogen are critical aspects that require careful consideration. However, the successful implementation of this project has the potential to revolutionize the hydrogen mobility market, providing a cleaner and more sustainable solution for heavy-duty transportation.
The collaboration between Alfa Laval and industry leaders in developing high-capacity hydrogen refuelling stations marks a significant step towards a sustainable future for the transportation sector. By leveraging advanced heat exchanger technology and EU funding support, the project aims to overcome challenges and drive the adoption of hydrogen-powered heavy-duty vehicles. This joint effort showcases the commitment of industry players and the EU to address climate change, achieve sustainable development goals, and boost competitiveness in the clean energy sector.
