Air Products has signed an agreement with Aers Energy België to develop a multi-fuel, hydrogen refuelling station for trucks.
The deal will see the station located on a concession in the port of Zeebrugge, which Aers Energy België has been awarded, and where the firm will also operate a new secure truck stop, rest area, convenience store and restaurant.
The new station will be the first commercial-scale hydrogen refuelling station in Europe with liquid hydrogen storage. It will be built and operated by Air Products in addition to other liquid hydrogen refuelling stations it is developing throughout Europe.
Air Products aims to contribute to the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure objectives through building the hydrogen refuelling station on the TENT-T core network in Zeebrugge – which largely exceeds the required minimum capacity of 1 ton of hydrogen per day.
When the station’s capacity is used, it will save approximately 8-11 kt of CO2 equivalent per year by displacing diesel volume.
Kurt Lefevere, Air Products’ Vice President for Benelux, Germany and France, said: “The choice of hydrogen for heavy-duty vehicles, compared to other technologies, allows for faster refuelling, greater vehicle range and the elimination of all CO2 tailpipe and other criteria pollutant emissions. Air Products has over 60 years of experience in hydrogen production, equipment, logistics and services and is a first-mover in the energy transition with over $11 billion dollars of announced investment in clean hydrogen projects around the globe.”
Jackij Aers of Aers Energy België said: “Hydrogen will play an important part in significantly reducing CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions from road transport. To further develop this part of the project, a partnership with Air Products was sought. This company has a great deal of expertise in the field and, thanks to its investments in new green hydrogen production capacity, can provide the necessary guarantees for a stable supply.”
Tom Hautekiet, Chief Commercial Officer Port of Antwerp-Bruges, said: “All forms of transport, from shipping to road transport, are expected to be almost completely CO2 neutral by 2050. For freight transport, hydrogen is a clean and viable alternative to diesel. But of course, refuelling stations must be available. We are delighted that Air Products is taking the lead in developing Europe’s first liquid hydrogen refuelling station in the Port of Zeebrugge. This shows that Air Products is already ready for the hydrogen truck of the future”.
