Hydrogen stations

What are hydrogen stations and how do they work?

Transport Sustainable mobility Green hydrogen

Green hydrogen is one of the great alternatives in terms of sustainable mobility, and for this hydrogen stations, or hydrogen pumps, which function as a refuelling station for this fuel, are necessary. The aim is for Spain to have a network of more than 100 hydrogen stations by 2030.  

Hydrogen stations
Hydrogen plant in Zona Franca de Barcelona, the first commercial renewable hydrogen production and dispensing facility in Spain.

Green hydrogen, obtained by electrolysis from renewable electricity —which separates hydrogen from the oxygen present in water— is positioned as one of the most important alternatives to traditional energy resources and a key element in the drive towards decarbonisation of transport and sustainable mobility

Hydrogen is the most common chemical element in nature and hydrogen-powered vehicles have been available for more than ten years, so the next step is to use hydrogen from renewable electricity, i.e. green hydrogen

The main advantages of this type of vehicle are that they offer a greater level of autonomy and less dependence on the battery and, unlike traditional electric vehicles, refuelling times are similar to those of combustion vehicles. However, for this to become a reality, the network of hydrogen stations needs to be expanded. 

How does a hydrogen station work?

The process of refuelling at a hydrogen station is not very different from that of a conventional petrol station, although there are some details that make the experience a little different. This is because hydrogen is supplied at high pressure and, as it is an extremely volatile gas, the connection between the vehicle's receptacle or connection point and the pump must be watertight

The hydrogen is pumped into the vehicle's fuel tank, which powers the fuel cell that generates the electricity needed to drive the vehicle. The only waste product produced is water vapour, which is expelled through the exhaust pipe.

Unlike conventional filling stations, hydrogen is sold by the kilo, not by the litre, and the refuelling time for a conventional bus - which usually has a capacity of between 30 and 37.5 kilos - is no more than 12 minutes. And on the question of how much a hydrogen bus consumes, it is estimated at approximately 8 kilos per 100 kilometres, so the range of hydrogen vehicles currently on the market would be around 400 kilometres.

HYDROGEN STATIONS

The refuelling process in a hydrogen station is very similar to that of a conventional petrol station, although the hydrogen is supplied at high pressure

Renewable energies

Green hydrogen is produced with renewable energy.

Water

The water used for electrolysis must contain salts and minerals to conduct electricity

Electrolyser

It uses electric current to separate hydrogen from oxygen in water

Compressor

It increases the pressure of hydrogen to store it

Tanques

O hydrogen é armazenado em tanques de alta pressão – 500 bar

Dispenser

Depending on the size, it delivers between 60 and 120 g/s for vehicles from 200 kg/day up to 2,000 kg/day.

Cooler

The supply requires that the hydrogen be refrigerated.

Hydrogen tank

The hydrogen tanks are located in the upper part

Fuel cell

Generates the electricity needed to move the vehicle

Electric motor

In charge of bus traction.

Conjunto de baterias

Buses typically have 5 tanks of 7.5 kg each at 350 bar, for a total of 37.5 kg of hydrogen.

HYDROGEN STATIONS

The refuelling process in a hydrogen station is very similar to that of a conventional petrol station, although the hydrogen is supplied at high pressure

Renewable energies

Green hydrogen is produced with renewable energy.

Water

The water used for electrolysis must contain salts and minerals to conduct electricity

Electrolyser

It uses electric current to separate hydrogen from oxygen in water

Compressor

It increases the pressure of hydrogen to store it

Tanques

O hydrogen é armazenado em tanques de alta pressão – 500 bar.

Cooler

The supply requires that the hydrogen be refrigerated

Dispenser

Depending on the size, it delivers between 60 and 120 g/s for vehicles from 200 kg/day up to 2,000 kg/day

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Conjunto de baterias
Hydrogen tank

The hydrogen tanks are located in the upper part

Electric motor

In charge of bus traction.

Fuel cell

Generates the electricity needed to move the vehicle

  SEE INFOGRAPHIC: What are hydrogen stations and how do they work? [PDF]

Network of hydroenerators in Spain

The number of hydrogen stations in the world is still low, with several hundred spread around the globe, especially in Japan, Germany, Norway and the United States, while in Spain the number is less than ten. However, there are a good number of projects underway, as the objective, in order to achieve the goals of reducing emissions, is for the Spanish network of hydrogen stations to exceed one hundred by 2030.  

   Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB)

In Barcelona, Iberdrola has the first commercial green hydrogen production and dispensing facility in Spain, which will be used by Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) buses and other fleets and industries in the Zona Franca industrial estate, where it is located.

   FCH2Rail Project

We supply green hydrogen to CAF in Zaragoza every week by semi-trailer transport for the dynamic on-track tests of the hydrogen-powered demonstrator train of the FCH2Rail project.

   Green hydrogen plant in Puertollano

In addition, in Puertollano (Ciudad Real), construction is underway on what will be the largest green hydrogen plant for industrial use in Europe. This Iberdrola plant will have one of the largest electrolysis hydrogen production systems in the world (20 MW) and, as it will be integrated with a solar plant photovoltaic, as well as a lithium-ion battery system with a storage capacity of 20 MWh, this hydrogen will be obtained from 100% renewable energy.