Shanghai China

Air Products Showcases Its Patented Hydrogen Fueling Technology at HY+FC Expo China 2017

Advanced and Reliable Technology to Support Hydrogen Infrastructure Development in China

Air Products (NYSE:APD), a world-leading industrial gases company and a leader in hydrogen fueling and infrastructure worldwide, announced today that it has showcased its patented SmartFuel® hydrogen fueling technology at the 11th China Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Expo (HY+FC Expo China 2017) being held in Shanghai, China. By introducing its advanced and reliable technology in this influential industry event, the company demonstrates its commitment to support the country’s hydrogen infrastructure development to grow with its hydrogen market and drive the use of the environmentally clean energy for a better future. 

In recent years, hydrogen has been in the spotlight around the world as a secondary energy carrier. This emerging clean energy has been incorporated into China's energy strategy and hydrogen and fuel cell technology has been listed as disruptive technologies for leading industry innovation in the government’s 13th Five Year National Science and Technology Innovation Plan (2016-2020). The country also plans to develop its hydrogen infrastructure by building 100 hydrogen fueling stations by 2020 and 1,000 by 2030, according to the Blueprint on China’ Hydrogen Infrastructure Development issued in 2016.

“China has a well-developed energy plan with a clear hydrogen growth roadmap and targets. With the proven technologies, supply capabilities and safety performance, Air Products is committed to help the country realize the scale-up and commercialization of hydrogen energy,” said Frank Yu, vice president - Eastern China, Industrial Gases at Air Products, in making a keynote speech at the expo. “We are honored to have been involved in several demonstration projects in the country, among which the hydrogen fueling station for 2008 Beijing Olympic was the first of its kind in China. We will continue to contribute to the development of hydrogen infrastructure in China through our technology and expertise.” 

The company signed a Memorandum of Understanding last year that outlines a collaborative effort to potentially work together with the National Institute of Clean-and-Low-Carbon Energy, a research and development institute affiliated with the Shenhua Group on hydrogen fueling projects in China. Air Products’ hydrogen also powered the official shuttle buses for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, 2010 Asian Games and 2011 Shenzhen Universiade to drive the use of clean energy in the country. 

In his presentation, Frank Yu introduced an Air Products SmartFuel® hydrogen fueling station, as well as its hydrogen production and transportation solutions for lower cost, footprint reduction and safety in hydrogen infrastructure. With more than 60 years of hydrogen experience, the company has hydrogen supply capabilities for throughout the complete transition to hydrogen to support customers from demonstration to commercialization. 

As the leading global supplier of hydrogen to refineries to assist in producing cleaner burning transportation fuels, Air Products has rich experience in the hydrogen fueling industry. In fact, several sites today for certain hydrogen fueling applications are fueling at rates of over 200,000 refills per year. Use of the company’s fueling technology is increasing and is nearing 6,000,000 safe hydrogen fills using Air Products’ technology. The company has been involved in over 200 hydrogen fueling projects in the United States and 20 countries worldwide including China. Cars, trucks, vans, buses, scooters, forklifts, locomotives, planes, cell towers, material handling equipment, and even submarines have been fueled with trend-setting Air Products’ technologies. Details on Air Products’ hydrogen fueling station technologies can be viewed at www.airproducts.com/h2energy.

The company has an extensive patent portfolio with over 50 patents in hydrogen dispensing technology. Air Products provides liquid and gaseous hydrogen and a variety of enabling devices and protocols for fuel dispensing at varied pressures. Hydrogen for these stations can be delivered to a site via truck or pipeline, produced by natural gas reformation, biomass conversion, or by electrolysis, including electrolysis that is solar and wind driven. It has also recently announced the achievement of a pricing milestone at several California fueling stations, which are now offering hydrogen to fuel cell electric vehicle customers at under US$10 per kilogram realized through technology advancements and increased vehicles volumes.