Program seeks to advance heavy-duty H2 refueling infrastructure

Southwest Research Institute, an independent, nonprofit, applied research and development organization based in San Antonio, Texas, announced a joint industry project (JIP) to help spur growth and innovation of fueling technologies and infrastructure for hydrogen-powered heavy-duty vehicles.

Source: Southwest Research Institute

The Hydrogen Heavy Duty Refueling Equipment and Facilities Utilization Evaluation Laboratory (H2HD REFUEL) project aims to strengthen the acceptance of hydrogen fuel use in heavy-duty vehicles by advancing hydrogen refueling station (HRS) technologies. Over the next four years, SwRI researchers will use hands-on experiments, system modeling and theoretical studies to strengthen existing HRS equipment and procedures and explore potential alternatives.

“There are less than 60 hydrogen refueling stations in the U.S., but only one or two currently exist that can meet the specific needs of heavy-duty hydrogen-powered vehicles,” noted Dr. Thomas E. Briggs, Jr., Institute engineer with SwRI’s Powertrain Engineering Division. “Many light-duty hydrogen stations face significant technical challenges, including supply chain issues, mechanical failures and lack of infrastructure.

“Considering the multimillion-dollar investment per station, these issues reflect a significant technology gap that industry and government must bridge before building additional heavy-duty refueling stations.”

The JIP hopes to address these issues by connecting hydrogen vehicle manufacturers, OEMs and refueling station operators to develop innovative, dependable and compatible HRS technologies. The four-year program will investigate a range of related topics to help solve existing technical challenges, such as discovering the best onboard hydrogen storage method – liquid, H70 gas or cryo-compression – and comparing the performances of refueling station flow components. The JIP also plans to study hydrogen losses from cryogenic systems that occur from boil-off and system inefficiencies.

JIP members will benefit from access to SwRI-led research and hydrogen storage system models. They can also participate in interactive workshops and bi-annual meetings for networking and knowledge sharing and gain economic and performance insights for different hydrogen storage systems.

“Connecting industry stakeholders is vital to developing compatible and reliable hydrogen refueling technologies and associated infrastructure,” said Angel Wileman, the JIP’s project manager from SwRI’s Mechanical Engineering Division. “H2HD REFUEL’s comprehensive approach will ensure that the industry can meet the growing demand for heavy-duty hydrogen vehicles efficiently and safely.”