One of the key benefits of sLH2 is its ability to facilitate rapid refuelling of heavy-duty trucks, Daimler Trucks explains. For instance, a 40-ton truck carrying 80 kg of liquid hydrogen can refuel in just 10 to 15 minutes, enabling a range of over 1,000 kilometres.
Additionally, the adoption of sLH2 technology significantly reduces the investment required for hydrogen refuelling stations by 2 to 3 times, with operational costs being 5 to 6 times lower. This advancement could ensure a reliable supply of liquid hydrogen across Europe.
The sLH2 process involves slightly increasing the pressure of liquid hydrogen using an innovative pump, resulting in subcooled liquid hydrogen. This state enhances the efficiency of the refuelling process while minimising energy losses. Moreover, the simplicity of the sLH2 system eliminates the need for data transmission between the refuelling station and the vehicle, further streamlining operations.
To promote widespread adoption, Daimler Truck and Linde Engineering are making the sLH2 technology openly available through an ISO standard.
The inauguration of the first public sLH2 pilot station in Wörth am Rhein, Germany, marks a significant step forward. During the ceremony, a Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck prototype was refuelled, underscoring the practicality and effectiveness of the sLH2 solution.
Daimler Truck aims to deploy sLH2 technology in its customer-trial fleet of Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Trucks. Five companies are expected to participate in initial trials, showcasing the feasibility of CO2-free long-distance transport. However, the success of this transformation depends on the development of an international refuelling infrastructure and a sustainable supply of green liquid hydrogen in the coming years.
37% increase in number of refuelling stations in Europe
Europe has seen a significant increase in the number of hydrogen refuelling stations, according to the 16th annual report from H2stations.org, a service provided by Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik (LBST).
The latest report puts the total number of hydrogen refuelling stations in Europe at around 265. This represents a significant increase of approximately 37% compared to the previous year, indicating a significant expansion of the hydrogen infrastructure across the continent.
The distribution of hydrogen refuelling stations across Europe shows different levels of growth in different countries or regions. For example, Germany leads the region with 105 stations, followed by France with 51, the Netherlands with 22 and Switzerland with 17.
Comparing Europe’s progress with global trends, the report highlights the continent’s leading role in developing hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. While Europe has made significant progress, it is important to note the ongoing efforts in other regions: whereas Europe has approximately 265 hydrogen refuelling stations, Asia-Pacific regions such as Japan and South Korea have made significant progress, with Japan having 166 operational stations and South Korea 174 operational stations. In addition, despite data reliability challenges, China is estimated to have at least 197 operational stations.