Hong Kong is taking a step towards achieving its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 with the upcoming trial of its first hydrogen refuelling station. Hans Energy Company has received an agreement-in-principle from the Hong Kong Government to install the station at Citybus' West Kowloon Bus Depot, which will be operated by Citybus and supply hydrogen refuelling services for Hong Kong's first hydrogen bus owned by the operator. The supplier of the hydrogen refuelling station is CIMC Hydrogen Energy Technology (Beijing) Co., a subsidiary of CIMC Enric Holdings.
According to Hans Energy Company, the trial operation of the hydrogen refuelling station and hydrogen bus is a crucial milestone in Hong Kong's journey towards achieving the goal of zero emissions. “The investment of the hydrogen refuelling station also signifies the official launch of the company's strategic transformation from traditional energy business to new energy business,” it stated.
REFIRE, a provider of fuel cell systems, recently presented its latest offering, PRISMA XXII, at the Hannover Messe's Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Europe exhibition and conference. The system has a design life of 30,000 hours, cold start capability of -30°C, and can operate at altitudes of up to 3,000 metres. At the same event, REFIRE and its Hong Kong partner APAS R&D Centre presented their off-grid fuel cell EV charging and power project, while REFIRE Group's stack division, UNILIA, showcased its product line-up covering heavy duty stacks and MEA component manufacturing capability.
Audrey Ma, REFIRE's Vice President International Markets, participated in a panel discussion on the future of heavy-duty fuel cell trucking alongside representatives from Daimler Truck, Bosch, and Faurecia. She said, “Hydrogen fuel cell-powered heavy-duty trucking is poised to become the important application of Europe's decarbonisation efforts. It is clear now that with policy pushing for clean hydrogen adoption and zero-emission transportation services across the EU, hydrogen fuel cell power is a viable way forward.”
As countries around the world work towards achieving their carbon neutrality goals, the development of hydrogen infrastructure and fuel cell technology is gaining momentum. The trial operation of Hong Kong's first hydrogen refuelling station and bus is a promising step towards a zero-emission future.