- The world’s first mobile fast charging station for electric vehicles, whose energy source is CO2-free hydrogen, was put into operation in St. Gallen. ABB Switzerland contributed charging and converter technology to this pilot project.
As much energy is stored in one kilogram of hydrogen as in 2.8 kilograms of gasoline. This can be converted into electrical energy in a fuel cell with no emissions. If the hydrogen is generated through the use of renewable energy sources, the result is a CO 2 -neutral energy cycle.
High charging capacity independent of the power grid
The “kvyreen” hydrogen-powered fast charger uses the element’s considerable energy density in order to be able to offer high charging power independently of the power grid. A prototype is now in operation at the AVIA Osterwalder AG filling station at Oberstrasse 141 in St. Gallen, where the first hydrogen filling station in Eastern Switzerland has been available since summer 2020.
The driving force behind “kvyreen” is the Swiss company H2 Energy . This is a closed, mobile cube in which the entire technology is integrated. The green hydrogen is converted into electrical energy via a fuel cell, which is then made available via a converter and a charging station – both solutions from project partner ABB Switzerland – for the rapid charging of electric vehicles. In the pilot operation, the charging capacity of the system is 60 kilowatts. In the later commercial application, the system is to be operated with a charging capacity of up to 150 kilowatts per vehicle.
ABB underpins technology leadership in the field of electromobility
“By participating in this innovative Swiss project, ABB can underpin its global technology and market leadership in the field of electromobility,” says Adrian Wachholz, Head of E-Mobility, Market Switzerland. “This project is an excellent example that a mixture of energy sources and technologies will represent the optimum for the mobility of the future. Here we are building an important bridge between battery-electric mobility and a green hydrogen ecosystem. “
“I am very pleased that we can implement this forward-looking world premiere with ABB Switzerland and the other partners as an innovative project” Made in Switzerland “, said Thomas Walter, project manager and member of the management board of H2, on the occasion of the inauguration in St. Gallen on September 16.
«Kvyreen» is a location-independent solution and can be used wherever the construction of a network-operated fast charging infrastructure is not or not yet feasible, be it for logistical or economic reasons. This means that demand-based charging capacity can always be offered without burdening the local power grid, supplied by hydrogen tankers. «Kvyreen» is ideal for a wide range of other applications in order to achieve climate neutrality. For example as a replacement for diesel generators, in building technology or in the event sector.
Several Swiss partners involved in the project
“Green” hydrogen is produced by renewable energy sources, i.e. in wind, hydro or solar power plants. Ideally whenever there is excess energy and not needed in the power grid. The hydrogen for the pilot project is generated with Swiss hydropower.
In addition to H2 and ABB Switzerland, other partners are involved in the project. AVIA is involved in this framework as an association of companies that are actively promoting the change from a fuel supplier to an energy service provider. AVIA Osterwalder St. Gallen is expanding its competence as a supplier of clean energies with the first “kvyreen”. The Federal Office of Energy supports its research and development phase. The EMPA accompanies them with a scientific study.
Source: ABB
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