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Fueling the Future: Gas Station Expands to Hydrogen Refueling

By TAN XINYU|Jan 22,2025

The hydrogen refueling pump at Shuangbao Hydrogen Energy Comprehensive Station (Photo/Mei Yao)

Chongqing - On the morning of January 7, a large freight truck smoothly entered the Shuangbao Hydrogen Energy Comprehensive Station in Jiangjin District of Chongqing to recharge. Unlike fuel-powered or CNG vehicles, this truck runs on hydrogen fuel.

After the vehicle came to a stop, Zhang Ling, the station manager, skillfully conducted a fueling check and confirmed everything was in order. He then unplugged the nozzle from the fueling station to begin fueling the truck. Ten minutes later, the truck was fully loaded with 35 kilograms of hydrogen and ready to drive for over 300 kilometers.

As hydrogen-powered vehicles gradually become more common, many gas stations across the city have added hydrogen refueling capabilities. Zhang's energy station is one such example.

This first privately-owned hydrogen refueling station in the city supplies nearly 500 kilograms of hydrogen daily, with a peak supply of up to 800 kilograms in a single day, making it a key part of the Chengdu-Chongqing Hydrogen Corridor.

Adapting to new energy trends

The Shuangbao Hydrogen Energy Comprehensive Station, formerly known as the Shuangbao Energy Station, was established and put into operation in 2015. At that time, it was solely a CNG fueling station, primarily serving taxis, buses, and other passenger vehicles in the surrounding area.

"Since the gas station began operation, it has always had a steady flow of vehicles, with an average daily gas supply of around 15,000 cubic meters," said Zhang.

However, a shift occurred in the past two years, as electric and battery-swapping taxis and buses became increasingly common. As a result, the number of vehicles coming to the CNG station gradually declined.

The Shuangbao Hydrogen Energy Comprehensive Station (Photo by Mei Yao/Visual Chongqing)

In October of last year, Shuangbao Energy Station added a hydrogen refueling pump and changed its name to Shuangbao Hydrogen Energy Comprehensive Station.

"The decision to add hydrogen refueling capabilities aligns with the development trend of new energy vehicles, and it was also based on in-depth market research," Zhang explained.

On the one hand, hydrogen-powered vehicles are increasingly operating in Jiangjin's surrounding area, with over 100 hydrogen-fuel vehicles and a daily refueling demand exceeding 2 tons. On the other hand, Jiangjin is strategically located at the junction of the Chengdu-Chongqing Hydrogen Corridor and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, where the hydrogen energy industry is experiencing significant growth. Therefore, according to Zhang, adding hydrogen refueling capabilities is a natural and timely move.

Service comes with challenges

Zhang entered the energy industry in 2012 and has worked in the field for over a decade, primarily in fuel and gas supply services. However, refueling hydrogen-powered vehicles over the past three months has forced this seasoned professional to start learning from scratch.

"Hydrogen refueling has its own set of rules, and the biggest difference from fueling with gasoline or gas is that trained professionals must carry out the entire process. Drivers cannot do it themselves," Zhang explained.

Although the refueling process itself is quick, there are many steps involved. Vehicle inspection alone is divided into three stages: pre-check, mid-check, and post-check.

The pre-check includes verifying the vehicle's hydrogen refueling permit number, ensuring proper grounding for static electricity, and checking for leakage. During the refueling process, the focus is on ensuring the hydrogen is being safely and steadily filled. After the refueling, the pressure and temperature of the hydrogen cylinders must be checked to ensure they comply with regulations.

For Zhang, the process itself is not the most difficult part of learning about hydrogen refueling. The biggest challenge he faces right now is securing a reliable hydrogen supply.

Currently, the station's hydrogen is supplied by Chongqing Wansheng Coal Chemical Co Ltd, which is located over 90 kilometers away. This company produces methanol, dimethyl ether, and other chemical materials, and a large amount of hydrogen is generated as a by-product during production. The company collects and sells this hydrogen to downstream industries.

"Hydrogen transport takes a long time and is expensive, which is a challenge for us," Zhang admitted. Every day, they have to make three round trips to Wansheng District to purchase hydrogen, with each trip delivering about 270 kilograms. The transportation costs are significant, and he added that if the supplier temporarily halts production for any reason, it can lead to a shortage of hydrogen supply, leaving them with empty runs.

Addressing the difficulties

Zhang stated that the government is gradually relaxing regulations for the hydrogen production and refueling industry. As a result, his company is planning to set up a hydrogen production facility on a nearby plot of land through technological upgrades to create an integrated hydrogen production and refueling system, ensuring a localized supply.

"This move will not only reduce the risks, transport time, and costs associated with purchasing hydrogen but also create more commercial opportunities for hydrogen energy applications," Zhang explained.

According to the plan, after adding hydrogen production equipment, the station will have an initial design capacity of 700,000 kilograms of hydrogen annually, which will meet the energy needs of 200 heavy hydrogen fuel cell trucks or 600 light hydrogen vehicles. Zhang said the station's hydrogen production capacity is expected to exceed 1 million kilograms annually in the future, ensuring a sufficient hydrogen supply for the entire western area of Chongqing.

Currently, the station has one hydrogen refueling pump, three gas refueling pumps, and two reserved slots for additional pumps. The remaining two hydrogen refueling pumps will be installed once the hydrogen production facility is built and operational.

"Building an integrated hydrogen production and refueling station is not only about making refueling more convenient for vehicles; its also about supporting an emerging industry. Enhancing the hydrogen supply chain will create new opportunities in the hydrogen application, technology, and manufacturing chains. More importantly, hydrogen energy, as a clean energy source, plays a crucial role in environmental protection," Zhang said.

He added that hydrogen-powered vehicles can achieve zero emissions during use compared to gasoline and CNG vehicles, with less pollution, higher energy conversion efficiency, better power performance, and longer driving range.

As the hydrogen industry chain continues to improve, Zhang is optimistic about the increasing potential of hydrogen-powered vehicles and their gradual application in the passenger vehicle sector in the future.

(Zhuang Chunmeng, as an intern, also contributed to this report.)

(Xia Yuan and Mei Yao, reporters from Chongqing Daily, contributed the Chinese version of this report.)




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