A Legacy of Driving Hydrogen Compression
By Robert Harbison, Global Product Manager – Haskel Systems
Hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a critical enabler of the global transition to net-zero emissions. Its unique properties make it an invaluable fuel for decarbonizing sectors that are particularly hard to abate—areas where electrification is not a viable solution. These sectors include industry, long-haul transportation, and aviation, where hydrogen serves as a clean and efficient alternative to fossil fuels.
As we at Haskel celebrate Hydrogen Week 2025, we are proud to be at the forefront of this net-zero transition, leveraging our 75 years of expertise in gas compression technology to drive innovation and reliability in this sector.
In recent years, the hydrogen market has witnessed substantial growth, fueled by the increasing acknowledgment of its critical role in meeting net-zero goals and the advent of supportive policies and investments. As hydrogen-based solutions gain traction across more sectors and technological advancements drive down production costs, demand for hydrogen is expected to escalate substantially.
At Haskel, our extensive experience in pioneering efforts and our current applications underscore that compression is a key component in enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of storing and distributing gaseous hydrogen. By advancing compression technology innovations, we strive to reduce overall costs and facilitate the expansion of hydrogen projects.
Our Legacy
Haskel’s commitment to hydrogen technology spans over three decades. During this long history, we’ve engineered systems to address critical challenges such as hydrogen embrittlement - our products can withstand the unique stresses of handling hydrogen safely.
Throughout this time, Haskel has supported the entire hydrogen value chain with advanced compression technologies designed to meet diverse application needs. A milestone project in Haskel’s hydrogen legacy is Project HEART (Hydrogen Electric Autonomous Regional Transport). This project is a collaborative R&D initiative aimed at advancing hydrogen aviation, part-funded by the UK Research & Innovation Future Flight Challenge. The project focuses on developing end-to-end hydrogen infrastructure to safely fuel hydrogen aircraft. Key partners include Haskel, Protium, and Nel Hydrogen, who are working together to integrate advanced hydrogen compression and electrolyzer systems. This integration has set a UK record for large-scale molecule distribution equipment. Project HEART initially targets regional airports, developing refuelling solutions for aircraft carrying 9 to 19 passengers with a range of 500 miles. The project encompasses off-site hydrogen production, its transference to the site, and refuelling via a mobile refueler. By providing a reliable and efficient hydrogen infrastructure, Project HEART is addressing critical barriers to the widespread adoption of hydrogen, supporting the transition to a hydrogen-based economy, and contributing valuable insights for future government policies related to hydrogen aviation.
Haskel’s Hydrogen Offering
Hydrogen Compression: One of the things I’m most proud to have worked on is developing our signature product—the H-Drive hydraulic booster. The H-Drive is a hallmark of Haskel's innovative spirit, representing a technological leap in the field of gas compression. It operates with a unique open-loop hydraulic system, allowing precise control over the compression process, and is renowned for maintaining exceptional gas purity, in line with ISO and SAE standards. With its robust design and seamless integration capabilities, the H-Drive sets industry standards for performance, providing unparalleled quality and global availability.
Systems: Haskel’s GENO compression systems has offered a turnkey solution designed to meet the increasing demands of hydrogen refuelling, production, and storage facilities. The system is housed in a specially converted 20ft shipping container, equipped with all necessary safety, ventilation, and control systems for seamless operation and integration across various applications. Key features include an integrated compressed air system for pneumatic valve actuation, suitability for outlet pressures up to 950 bar, and flexible inlet supply pressures ranging from 15 to 500 bar. This flexibility supports various gas inlet sources, such as onsite electrolyzers, tube trailers, or manifold cylinder packs (MCPs).
Hydrogen Valves: In the realm of hydrogen technology, our BuTech valves are synonymous with safety, reliability, and innovation. BuTech's Needle Valves offer precision control and reliable performance in extreme temperatures, while our Soft Seat Check Valves ensure fail-safe operation at pressures up to 14,000 PSI. The Air Actuators provide remote control with fail-safe features, and the Sintered Cup Filters maximize filtration surface area for contaminant removal. With materials designed to withstand hydrogen embrittlement and a commitment to tailored solutions, BuTech has established itself as a trusted industry leader, providing expert support and globally recognized high-pressure hydrogen solutions.
Hydrogen Testing Facilities: We have manufacturing facilities in Burbank, California and Sunderland, England, where I am based, with dedicated teams dispersed across the globe and at both sites. Haskel’s UK-based Hydrogen Test Facility has recently benefited from major investment, boosting the site’s operating capacity and upgrading its hydrogen test equipment.
Haskel quality assurance
Every component we manufacture is infused with Haskel's commitment to quality and reliability, positioning us as trusted partners in the burgeoning hydrogen economy. Our 75-year legacy of innovation in compression and valve technology ensures that customers globally rely on Haskel as a critical ally in their quest toward net-zero emissions. Explore Haskel’s high-pressure products for hydrogen here:
About Robert Harbison
Robert Harbison is Haskel's Global Product Manager, focused on creating hydrogen compression systems. With a background in mechanical design, he shifted to hydrogen technology six years ago due to increased demand for clean energy. Robert's leadership has helped Haskel develop technologies like H-Drive and various hydrogen compression solutions, extending their global reach in hydrogen infrastructure.
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