Although recent reports from the UK are saying that it is ‘seriously trailing’ other countries in its slow deployment of hydrogen refueling stations (HRS), elsewhere in Europe and across the globe countries are stepping up their HRS roll out programs. The current demand for hydrogen pressure vessels remains very high.
China, which had initially planned to have a network of 1,000 HRS by 2030 has reviewed its ambitions and shortened the timetable significantly. Reports from the Chinese company Sinopec said that those plans were being brought forward, so the ambition is now to have a network of 1,000 HRS by 2025, a full five years earlier than originally stated. No wonder, then, that the demand for hydrogen pressure vessels in the Far East is growing at a high rate.
Of course, hydrogen pressure vessels are a key element of an HRS, with a variety of pressures for hydrogen storage and transportation in demand from region to region.
In Europe, where both Germany and France have far higher HRS deployment rates than the UK, pressure vessel demand remains strong. In fact, across Europe as a whole the commitment to installing a full HRS network is at the forefront of the region’s zero emissions agenda.
Within the UK, many point to not only the slow growth of the national HRS network, but also the low capacity of those stations already up and running. It is reported that many lack the capacity to refuel at a rate of even 100 kg/day – barely enough to fuel 20 passenger vehicles.
This means that the UK must, at some point in the future, be the source of growing demand for hydrogen pressure vessels at it will, surely, ramp up HRS installations.
If the UK’s proven commitment to hydrogen bus networks can be replicated within the passenger car sector then it will soon catch up with more progressive countries.
Globally the need for the vessels remains steady and progress in the global HRS network, although patchy, is still on course.