Proton OnSite, Nel Hydrogen receive $8.3M hydrogen electrolyzer fueling station contract
26 September 2017
Proton Onsite and Nel Hydrogen Solutions, divisions of Nel ASA, have received a purchase order of US$8.3 million on a combined hydrogen PEM electrolyzer and H2Station fueling solution for SunLine Transit Agency (SunLine) in California. The combined solution will have a hydrogen capacity of up to 900 kg per day, making it the world’s largest combined hydrogen production and fueling facility currently being contracted.
SunLine will use the solution for fueling of their growing fleet of fuel cell electric buses operating in the Palm Springs area in California.
The facility will be delivered turn-key, consisting of one Proton PEM M400 electrolyzer, and two H2Station units from Nel. Expected delivery and installation is during 2018.
The project is strategically important for Nel and Proton, as it shows our joint capability in delivering unparalleled hydrogen production and fueling solutions. The combined organization is well-positioned to be part of current and future initiatives needed to achieve California’s long-term renewable energy goals.
—Jon André Løkke, CEO of Nel
The project is supported by the Californian Air Resources Board (CARB) under the California Climate Investments (CCI) program.
Not very cheap.
One large high capacity ??? (900 Kg/day) electrolyser and two (2) H2 delivery/distribution stations for $8.3M.
The Chinese Industry can probably do the same for 50% to 60% less?
Wonder if those units could be mass produced and installed into full size containers for worldwide delivery at a much lower price?
Posted by: HarveyD | 26 September 2017 at 07:17 AM
One kg of Hydrogen has roughly the same energy content as a gallon of gasoline (about four liters of petrol). The fuel cell is about twice as efficient in delivering energy to the wheels as a typical ICE, so in round numbers this electrolyzer makes the equivalent of almost 2000 gal (around 7500 liters) per day.
The mean daily output from a US gas station is roughly 4500 gal/day. So the electrolyzer is getting close to having “mainstream” energy availability, albeit at a very high initial capex number.
I’ve been a long time romanticist about fuel cells but skeptical of their actual/practical future. Maybe the tide is turning.
Posted by: Herman | 26 September 2017 at 09:35 AM
Think you are right to be concerned about hydrogen in automobiles where BEVs make more sense; however, in airplanes, ships, trucks, there might be a market for hydrolyzed water.
Posted by: Lad | 26 September 2017 at 10:01 AM
Clean H2 can be created with excess REs and/or clean off-peak electricity and stored for much longer periods than electrons in batteries?
Mixed with NG it can be burned relatively clean for heating etc.
In the future, it will be liquified to extend range of FCEVs and FC/airplanes.
Posted by: HarveyD | 27 September 2017 at 01:56 PM
The Nikola One semi or new fuel cell trains could use this.
Posted by: SJC | 28 September 2017 at 04:18 PM