Hydrogen technologies are slowly becoming part of consumer life in many countries, but in China the hydrogen market is very much a part of daily life. Beginning operation in late 2018, one of the world’s largest refueling stations keeps China’s hydrogen buses – and its people – moving all day long.
With Haskel’s H-Drive playing a part in the station’s operation, our own Stephen Learney and Darran Heath recently visited the refueling station to study how the hydraulic gas booster supports daily refueling. Below they share why this refueling station is so important to the worldwide hydrogen market and where the industry will likely lead next.
Tell us about your visit to this refueling station. Being one of the largest in the world, what made this station unique?
The size of this station is truly impressive. It’s a fully operational facility that is essentially 3 stations in one, supporting the refueling of 74 buses. We visit refueling stations around the world and sometimes we’re lucky if we see a vehicle fill up. This station was buzzing with activity.
It looked like a conventional petroleum bus station. The buses would roll in, refuel for 10 minutes, and be on their way. The process was easy and efficient. The key differences from a standard petroleum station were the influences of clean energy – no emissions and limited noise from the buses.
