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Air Products announces plans to build network of commercial-scale multi-modal H2 refueling stations
24 Apr 2024
https://h2-tech.com/news/2024/04-2024/air-products-announces-plans-to-build-network-of-commercial-scale-multi-modal-h-sub-2-sub-refueling-stations/

Air Products announced it intends to build a network of permanent, commercial-scale multi-modal H2 refueling stations stretching from Edmonton to Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

“With abundant resources, tremendous talent, and forward-thinking governments, Canada is driving the clean energy transition forward,” said Seifi Ghasemi, Air Products’ Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Last year, Air Products announced our continued investment in Western Canada with the first permanent, commercial-scale H2 refueling station in Alberta. Today, we build on that commitment with plans to build additional commercial-scale multi-modal H2 refueling stations, developing a H2 highway connecting Alberta’s two largest cities and enabling the continued development of the region’s H2 ecosystem.”

The permanent, multi-modal H2 refueling stations will be equipped to serve heavy-duty vehicles, such as commercial and municipal trucks and buses, as well light-duty H2 fuel cell cars. The stations will be along the Queen Elizabeth II Highway that runs through Calgary and Edmonton, providing a fueling experience and speed that is similar to gasoline or diesel. This H2 infrastructure will help Western Canada reach a goal of 5,000 H2 or dual fuel vehicles on the road in five years.

“Each of our state-of-the-art, high-capacity, high-reliability stations will be able to fuel up to 200 heavy-duty trucks or 2,000 cars per day,” noted Rachel Smith, vice president and general manager, Air Products Canada. “In Canada, H2 is essential to decarbonizing transportation where heavy-duty vehicles travel long distances in extreme temperatures. We are excited to be activating Canada’s first H2 corridor here in Alberta.”

The first of Air Products’ permanent H2 refueling stations, located in Edmonton, near the site of the Company’s landmark net-zero H2 energy complex that is under construction, is scheduled to be onstream in 2025. Currently, Air Products has placed a temporary, H2 mobile fueler on the site that is supplying customers. The permanent Edmonton H2 refueling station is supported in part by $1 million (CAD) in funding from Natural Resources Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program.

Hon. Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Canada, said, “The development and deployment of H2 presents an enormous economic and environmental opportunity for Canadians. The federal government is prepared to seize this opportunity, and today’s announcement by Air Products shows that Canadian companies and innovators are also continuing to lead the way on H2. I congratulate Air Products on today’s exciting announcement. Together, we will continue to establish Canada as a leading producer and supplier of H2 on our path to net-zero by 2050.”

Hon. Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta, said, “H2 is a fuel of the future and our government is fully on-board with efforts to pursue early adoption of H2 technology. I’m thrilled that Air Products is working toward development of a H2 highway between Edmonton and Calgary. This will help grow Alberta’s H2 ecosystem and spur on additional interest, investment, and progress in the H2 space.”

Hon. Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, said, “This is exciting news and a great leap forward in growing the use of H2 as a transportation fuel in Alberta. By adding H2 fueling infrastructure along Alberta’s busiest transportation corridor, Air Products is helping to clear the way for H2-powered vehicles as a viable clean alternative to EVs. Alberta’s government knows H2 has the potential to be a major source of clean energy here at home and around the world, and today’s announcement is helping to turn that vision into reality.”

Jim Wood, Mayor of Red Deer County, said, “Red Deer County takes pride in supporting trucking and logistics; we are excited that future trucks driving along the QE2 will have easy access to a clean alternative energy fuel source.”

Malcolm Bruce, CEO of Edmonton Global, said, "Air Products' bold initiative to build a network of multi-modal H2 refueling stations between the Edmonton region and Calgary marks a significant leap forward in Canada's clean energy journey and the 5,000 H2 Vehicle Challenge. Announcements like these will help us in reaching our goal of having 5,000 H2 or dual-fuel vehicles on the road in Western Canada in five years. By connecting our two largest cities with this H2 highway, we're not just fostering innovation; we're catalyzing a sustainable future. This investment underscores our shared commitment to advancing green technologies and propelling Alberta to the forefront of the H2 revolution. Canada's path to net-zero truly runs through the Edmonton region."

In addition, Air Products has a H2 mobile fueler at the Edmonton International Airport to provide H2 for the airport’s fleet of Toyota Mirai H2 fuel cell vehicles as well as a mobile fueler located on Aurum Road ready to serve the broader Edmonton market.

As the world’s largest supplier of H2, Air Products has hands-on operating experience with over 250 H2 fueling station projects in 20 countries and the company’s technologies are used in over 1.5 million fueling operations annually.