Filling station for fuel cell postbuses in operation
Carbagas in Brugg (Canton Aargau) has built the first hydrogen filling station in Switzerland, which is now being operated by PostBus Switzerland. The hydrogen is being used to power fuel five fuel-cell powered postbuses, which have been operating on PostBus lines in and around Brugg. The vehicles are fuelled with the gaseous hydrogen, which is then turned into electricity in the fuel cells. Approximately 60 percent of the overall amount of hydrogen needed for the fuel cell project can be produced on site. The additional hydrogen needed is delivered.
The production process involves using an electrolyser to turn water and electricity into hydrogen. When electricity is passed through water it into its components, hydrogen and oxygen. Two high-pressure compressors pressurise the hydrogen to at least 410 bar and it is stored in high-pressure accumulators. The hydrogen can eventually be used to fill the fuel cell postbuses fully automatically at the filling pump at a pressure of up to 350 bar. To power the vehicles the hydrogen in the fuel cells is turned back into electricity by combining it with oxygen in a controlled manner. The function of the hydrogen is to store electricity.
Several concepts exist for building hydrogen filling stations. For instance it is also possible to use hydrogen obtained from natural gas. PostBus chose a solution that reduces the dependence on fossil fuels. In addition the chosen option is CO2 neutral. 100 percent of the hydrogen used is obtained from renewable energy sources such as hydroelectricity, solar power, wind power and biomass energy. The electricity needed for the production process is supplied by the IBB Group in Brugg.
No exhaust gases are emitted when driving with a fuel cell engine, just steam, and noise emission is extremely low. In addition postbuses recover energy as they brake. This energy is stored and used later on when driving or for heating or air conditioning. PostBus expects to be able to save at least 2,000 tons of CO2 during the five-year trial phase.
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