Hydrogen, the lightest and non-toxic gas, promises to be a big part in sustainable energy solutions in the future. However, it is currently not possible to refuel with hydrogen anywhere, nor is there any infrastructure for supplying service stations with hydrogen.
The HyStation is a demonstration object service station where the HyCar, our fuel cell vehicle, can be refueled easily and safely like a conventional vehicle. The HyStation, admittedly, does not solve the infrastructure problem directly but it shows how convenient refuelling with hydrogen could be and proves that a service station does not necessarily have to look bad.
The HyStation was developed and produced by ESORO on behalf of and in cooperation with our hydrogen supplier SL Gas (Lenzburg, Switzerland).
The HyStation is a hydrogen service station which is very well-suited to demonstrations and exhibitions. Its central component is the cylindrical fuel pump containing the refueling nozzle, the operating controls and the service station control system. As soon as users identify themselves using a transmitter on the car key, a liquid-crystal display prompts them through the refueling operation which is just as simple and safe as is refueling a conventional vehicle.
The fuel pump can basically be supplied from a wide variety of hydrogen sources. In the demonstration prototype implemented, a cluster of pressurized tanks supplies the service station with up to 180 Nm3 of gaseous hydrogen. In future, service stations such as the HyStation, could be supplied with locally produced hydrogen.
