Hydrogen has long been held up as a solution to long-haul trucking’s dilemma with battery-electric range. While hydrogen engine technology is currently available to some, the infrastructure needed to move forward is lacking throughout the U.S.
In an effort to encourage the growth of this vehicle sector, the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) recently announced H2HD REFUEL (Hydrogen Heavy Duty Refueling Equipment and Facilities Utilization Evaluation Laboratory), a joint industry project to accelerate hydrogen fuel use by heavy-duty vehicles and advance hydrogen refueling station technology.
The project, which will take course over the next four years, will involve hands-on experiments, system modeling and theoretical studies by the SwRI team to both improve existing HRS equipment and procedures and look for possible alternatives.
“There are less than sixty hydrogen refueling stations in the U.S., but only one or two currently exist that can meet the specific needs of heavy-duty hydrogen-powered vehicles,” said Dr. Thomas E. Briggs, Jr., an engineer with SwRI’s Powertrain Engineering Division. “Many light-duty hydrogen stations face significant technical challenges, including supply chain issues, mechanical failures, and lack of infrastructure. Considering the multimillion-dollar investment per station, these issues reflect a significant technology gap that industry and government must bridge before building additional heavy-duty refueling stations.”
The H2HD REFUEL project will connect hydrogen vehicle manufacturers, OEMs and fuel station operators, investigating a range of fueling-related topics to solve existing challenges, such as determining how best store hydrogen on a vehicle.
“Connecting industry stakeholders is vital to developing compatible and reliable hydrogen refueling technologies and associated infrastructure,” said Angel Wileman, the project manager from SwRI’s Mechanical Engineering Division. “H2HD REFUEL’s comprehensive approach will ensure that the industry can meet the growing demand for heavy-duty hydrogen vehicles efficiently and safely. This JIP is another example of how SwRI is leading the way when it comes to hydrogen energy research.”
