This project is being developed in Spain and is being funded by the EU’s Clean Hydrogen JU initiative. Its name is simply H2Ports. The topic is a fuel cell and hydrogen technology, as the name would imply, and how it might be applied in ports.
In the interim, ports’ land-based operations can at least stop emitting emissions (similarly to ground-based operations at airports).
The three prototypes that make up this particular project are the first two, which are specific vehicles utilized in shipping operations, and the third, which is a mobile hydrogen refueling station that will be used to refill the first two prototypes. The Port of Valencia, which aims to play a significant role in Europe’s hydrogen development, will put all of these into action.
The first of these machine prototypes is the Reach Stacker Vehicle (also known as a container stacker). The second is a regular 4X4 tractor unit that has been equipped with a fuel cell system and is used for loading and unloading duties. Later this year, both vehicles are anticipated to arrive at the Port for testing.
The hydrogen supply station (HRS) is getting ready for testing this month till then. The National Hydrogen Center in Spain, one of the participants in this massive project, was responsible for its design and construction. The HRS is said to be composed of a permanent portion and a mobile part, according to the Port of Valencia.
In the early stages, when hydrogen must be compressed to reach the necessary pressure, the permanent component serves as a storage element for the gas. After that, the compressed hydrogen is kept in the mobile HRS component, which also functions as a standard fuel dispenser. The two-vehicle prototypes are fueled by high-pressure hydrogen through this system.
Along with experts from the National Hydrogen Center and the Carburos Metalicos company, the Port of Valencia will test various aspects of this hydrogen supply station throughout this month.
The hydrogen loading experiments will be carried out for the first time in a Spanish port at this time. Valenciaport will concentrate on cars designed to only use this clean fuel if the filling station receives approval.
