The adoption of platinum-enabled green hydrogen is steadily gaining pace worldwide. In Los Angeles, heavy-duty vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells are now in use at the port, representing a significant milestone in transitioning to clean energy transportation. This development mirrors the broader global momentum towards hydrogen energy.
Globally, the push for hydrogen energy is gaining traction. During a recent Mission Hydrogen event, Japan’s Toyota re-emphasized the increasing adoption of hydrogen fuel cell mobility. This includes both large and small vehicles. In Europe, Lhyfe, a pioneer in green and renewable hydrogen production, announced the construction and operation of a green hydrogen production plant for Deutsche Bahn in Tübingen. Concurrently, Siemens Mobility is collaborating with Tyczka Hydrogen and Smart Train Lease to introduce hydrogen fuel cell trains.
Canada has introduced a major clean hydrogen investment tax credit. This incentive offers up to 40% off project costs for green hydrogen developers. Other countries, including Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, India, and the US, are also making significant moves towards green hydrogen development.
Air Products has announced plans to build a network of permanent, commercial-scale, multimodal hydrogen refueling stations across California. This initiative is critical for meeting global climate goals. As the world’s largest supplier of hydrogen, Air Products has extensive experience, having operated over 250 hydrogen refueling station projects in 20 countries. Their technologies are used in more than 1.5 million fueling operations annually.
In South Korea, Hyundai’s XCIENT fuel cell electric heavy-duty truck has reached a milestone of 10 million kilometers driven in Switzerland. This achievement underscores the long-term reliability of hydrogen fuel cell technology. In Germany, Hamburg is positioning itself as an international hub in the European hydrogen network. This network covers both regional and parts of national and European hydrogen supply chains.
Norway is funding a project to convert an existing cargo ship to green hydrogen fuel cells, promoting environmental sustainability. In France, a new facility in Savoie will use green hydrogen to produce stainless steel and decarbonize mobility in the French Alps. This project aligns with the 2030 Winter Olympics’ sustainability goals. The decision by Swiss Steel Group to use green hydrogen at its Ugitech plant has been welcomed by Lhyfe vice-CEO Philippe Desorme, who emphasized the need for rapid deployment of green hydrogen.
In Germany, DB Energie is testing new technologies for sustainable rail energy supply at the Tübingen innovation hub. This includes the H2goesRail project, which will see a climate-neutral hydrogen train operating on a test route in Baden-Württemberg. This project demonstrates the economic viability of hydrogen solutions in the transport sector, according to Lhyfe Central and Eastern Europe head Luc Graré.
BMW continues to show a strong commitment to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. At a recent preview event for its iX5 hydrogen prototype car in Australia, BMW’s hydrogen program head Jurgen Guldner reaffirmed the company’s faith in hydrogen technology. A fleet of BMW iX5 hydrogen cars is already operating on South African roads, with refueling infrastructure in place in Midrand.
Anglo American Platinum CEO Craig Miller highlighted the potential of platinum-enabled and hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in achieving zero-emission transport. Speaking at the 2024 London Indaba, Miller emphasized ongoing collaborations with BMW Group and Sasol to test the iX5 SUV prototype in South Africa. Additionally, retrofitted Stellantis people carriers, Toyota Mirai, and Hyundai Nexo vehicles are being deployed in Paris and Brussels-based taxi fleets.
Toyota’s Hilux FCEV pickup is advancing to its final development phase. The Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association and the Japan Hydrogen Association have both affirmed their commitment to continued collaboration, advocating for the hydrogen and fuel cell industries in Japan and the US.
Platinum group metals (PGMs), primarily sourced from South Africa, are integral to these technologies due to their durability, malleability, and conductivity. Hydrogen, as a renewable energy source, is essential for decarbonizing the rail industry, particularly on routes where electrification is challenging.
Many advances in PGM-enabled proton exchange membrane and FCEV technologies will be showcased at the upcoming Shanghai Platinum Week. South Africa will have a strong presence at this event, highlighting its role in the global green energy transition.
Interestingly, hydrogen technology is also inspiring cultural shifts. For example, hydrogen songs were featured during a recent global online event. Jackie Birdsall, senior engineering manager of Toyota North America’s fuel cell integration group, and Vincent Mittelaer, senior engineer for hydrogen station compliance at Toyota Motor Europe, shared their experiences with a global audience. They discussed how Japan, the first country to adopt a national hydrogen strategy, has been a leader in decarbonized mobility.
Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) on the market include the Mirai passenger car, the Hilux pickup prototype, and several heavy-duty trucks developed in collaboration with Kenworth, Isuzu, and Daimler. Europe, aiming for full carbon neutrality by 2040, requires all new vehicles to be zero-emission by 2025, as highlighted by Mittelaer. By 2030, all manufacturing plants must be carbon neutral, with extensive recycling efforts in place.
Importantly, hydrogen trucks, trains, ships, and buses share common components and parts through a fuel cell module. Mittelaer pointed out that this standardization can significantly reduce costs when production scales up. Rapid development of refueling infrastructure is crucial, with Europe, the US, and Japan targeting the delivery of 60 kg of hydrogen to vehicles in less than 10 minutes.
In the US, heavy-duty FCEVs are already operational at the Los Angeles port. In California, hydrogen fuel cell generators are being used to recharge battery electric vehicles, addressing the challenge of grid access in remote areas. The US Department of Energy has funded several hydrogen hubs, expected to boost sustainable hydrogen production specifically for transportation.
A high-temperature fuel cell at a California port converts biogas from the Central Valley agricultural area into electricity, water, and over a ton of green hydrogen daily. This hydrogen fuels both heavy-duty and light-duty vehicles. Air Products’ new refueling stations will have the capacity to fuel 200 heavy-duty trucks or 2,000 light-duty vehicles each day.
California State Senator Bob Archuleta emphasized hydrogen’s role in meeting the state’s clean energy and climate goals. Air Products’ investment in a statewide hydrogen refueling network marks a significant milestone for California, establishing it as a global hub for clean hydrogen. This network will connect major cities in Alberta, Canada, further expanding hydrogen infrastructure.
As the largest hydrogen supplier globally, Air Products leverages its extensive experience to support the growing hydrogen economy. Their technologies are used in over 1.5 million fueling operations each year, contributing to the broader adoption of hydrogen energy solutions worldwide.
Source: Mining Weekly
