WSU team aims to build the first hydrogen fuel station in Washington
December 2, 2016Team of researchers and students to develop a new hydrogen fuel station
Researchers and students from the Washington State University are working together to raise the funds needed to build what they believe will be the state’s first hydrogen fuel station. Washington is a relatively small clean transportation market, with virtually no fuel cell vehicles available to the public. Washington State University hopes to prepare the state for the inevitable coming of these vehicles, however, by helping establish a hydrogen infrastructure.
Using renewable energy to produce hydrogen will be a key part of the new station
The team hopes to demonstrate an inexpensive way for consumers to access the hydrogen they may need in the future. Building a new hydrogen fuel station may also attract some interest in fuel cell vehicles, which most of the world’s major automakers are working to develop and commercialize. Notably, the hydrogen that the new fueling station will be supplied with will be produced through the use of renewable energy. Jake Leachman, associate professor for the Washington State University’s School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, notes that wind energy could be an effective way to generate environmentally friendly hydrogen.
Renewable hydrogen production is becoming an important issue
Conventional methods of hydrogen production are heavily reliant on fossil-fuels. This is a somewhat significant problem as hydrogen generation is linked to emissions production. This makes hydrogen much less attractive as a clean form of energy when compared solar, wind, and even biofuels. Using renewable energy to generate hydrogen is becoming a top priority for those interested in clean transportation because it helps make hydrogen production much more environmentally friendly.
New start-up company may manage the state’s first hydrogen fuel station
The team from the Washington State University has received federal funding to help their efforts. They have also established a start-up company that is focused on dispensing, liquefaction, and storage of hydrogen. This company is likely to be in charge of operating the new hydrogen fuel station that will eventually begin providing the fuel that drivers need. The team has not yet determined when this hydrogen fuel station will begin operation.
Many companies ( Air liquid) produces hydrogen tanks (cylinders) at the required pressure. One tanks of hydrogen has three times of energy as much as a barbecue propane tanks at the same pressure and size.One tank of hydrogen when burns produce BIG ZERO pollution in comparison with the same size tank of propane at the same pressure which produces acid gases and other pollutants. You can buy a barbecue propane tanks in any gas stations even in Sweet Grass ( a little border town between US and Canada). Why not Hydrogen tanks?. Hydrogen fuelling stations pump LHG ( liquefied hydrogen gas) at super-critical conditions which mean the highest flow with the lowest friction. I think that is very expensive to produce LHG?