Air Products has signed an agreement with Aers Energy België to develop a multi-fuel, hydrogen refueling station for trucks. It will be located on a concession in the port of Zeebrugge, which Aers Energy België has been awarded, according to the company's release. Within this location, Aers will also operate a new secure truck stop, rest area, convenience store and restaurant.
The new station will be the first commercial-scale hydrogen refueling station in Europe with liquid hydrogen storage. It will be built and operated by Air Products in addition to other liquid hydrogen refueling stations the company is developing throughout Europe.
The project itself, is part of a wider strategy to support Belgium and Europe's sustainable development and ambition towards CO2-free heavy-duty road transport.
By building a hydrogen refueling station on the TENT-T core network in Zeebrugge – which largely exceeds the required minimum capacity of 1 ton of hydrogen per day – Air Products is contributing to the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) objectives. When the station's capacity is utilized, it will save approximately 8-11 kt of CO2 equivalent per year by displacing diesel volume.
The reason Aers Energy België was awarded the concession in the Port, was its ability to offer a solution to safely park the many trucks waiting to leave the port or coming to load or unload in the port area. In addition to the hydrogen refueling station and a truck parking lot with 135 spaces, drivers will have access to sanitary facilities, a store, and a catering service.
Air Products is a world-leading industrial gases company in operation for over 80 years focused on serving energy, environmental, and emerging markets. Air Products’ base business provides essential industrial gases, related equipment and applications expertise to customers in dozens of industries, including refining, chemicals, metals, electronics, manufacturing, and food. The company also develops, engineers, builds, owns and operates some of the world's largest industrial gas and carbon-capture projects, supplying world-scale clean hydrogen for global transportation, industrial markets, and the broader energy transition. Additionally, Air Products is the world leader in the supply of liquefied natural gas process technology and equipment, and globally -provides turbomachinery, membrane systems and cryogenic containers.
Aers Energy België is an independent family-owned company for nearly 100 years. Since its establishment in 1927, the company has grown into a full-fledged and complete energy supplier. From dispensing cans of lamp oil in Oostburg and the surrounding area to installing electric charging stations in Poland. Today, Aers consists of 4 companies: Aers Olie, Aers Energy, Aers Retail and Aers Lubricants.