Grenoble– HRS, French designer and manufacturer, European leader in hydrogen refueling stations , takes a major step forward with the announcement of obtaining major bank financing of 3.1 million euros for its hydrogen refueling station testing area. This financing, the vast majority of which was counter-guaranteed with the support of BPI, but also that of SOMUDIMEC, brought together HRS ‘s banking partners: BNP PARIBAS, CREDIT COOPERATIVE, LCL, and SG AUVERGNE RHÔNE ALPES ( Société Générale group). This partnership underlines the solidity of the industrial project and the confidence of our financial stakeholders in the long-term vision of HRS .
This exceptional financial support allows HRS to finalize its unique testing zone in Europe intended to become a pillar in the development of heavy hydrogen mobility, thanks to its cutting-edge facilities and its capacity to carry out experiments in real conditions.
The test zone includes two refueling stations powered by green hydrogen: an HRS14 station already in operation and an HRS40 station delivering 1 ton/day of hydrogen currently being installed and which will enter service during the first half of 2024. The introduction of the HRS40 station marks a significant advancement in HRS testing capabilities, setting the stage for the first installations of high-capacity refueling stations sometime in 2024.
At the heart of the new 14,300 m2 HRS industrial complex, the testing zone is part of a collaborative research and development center. This center aims to bring together leading industrial partners to exchange know-how, optimize the performance of hydrogen refueling stations, and accelerate their global deployment. Thus, there are already 2 European projects bringing together 2 consortia of companies of which HRS is a part, which have launched their work on rapid refueling for heavy vehicles, and hydraulic compression optimized to also address large capacity stations.
Hassen Rachedi, founder and CEO of HRS added: “ I am proud of the commissioning of this unique testing zone in Europe, which represents an important new building block in our continued quest for innovation and leadership in the field of hydrogen mobility. This initiative demonstrates our unwavering determination for cutting-edge R&D, and I am convinced that it will significantly contribute to shaping the future of high-capacity hydrogen stations and accentuate our leadership position. I would also like to thank our historic financial partners. Their financial support was crucial for the realization of this project. »
Halim BENSLIMANE, Director – Arc Alpin Entreprises BNPPARIBAS Business Center, declared: “ We are delighted to support HRS from the outset, a pioneering company in hydrogen mobility and very committed to the path to decarbonization of transport. BNP PARIBAS has a clear desire to play a key role in this sector, with hydrogen developing across the world and establishing itself as one of the promising responses to the challenges of the energy transition. »
Jean-Louis PAGNIER, Director of the Grenoble CREDIT COOPERATIVE Business Center, declared: “A partner of HRS for 20 years, Crédit Coopératif is very happy to continue to support the company in its development, and particularly in the implementation recent update of its high capacity HRS40 station installed in its test area. Reducing the environmental footprint remains a priority for Crédit Coopératif, whose carbon footprint of distributed financing makes it one of the lowest-emission banking groups on the market (128 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per M€ financed in 2022 according to OXFAM/Carbone 4). »
Grégory TROTTIER, Sustainable Solutions Manager Auvergne Rhône Alpes LCL, declared : “Thanks to its targeted financing, LCL is proud to support HRS in the deployment of its solutions intended to participate in the decarbonization of mobility. »
Christophe Chevalier, Sales Director for Enterprises Grenoble SG AUVERGNE RHÔNE ALPES, declared: “Supporting the ecological transition is one of the four axes of the CSR ambition of the SOCIETE GENERALE group. Hydrogen is one of the central elements of the energy transition, appearing among the main levers of decarbonization. This is a key tool in the climate challenge, which requires all stakeholders to work together to develop appropriate technologies through the emergence of innovative projects. In view of this vision, the Group was one of the first financial institutions to join the Hydrogen Council in January 2020. It is in this dynamic that SG AUVERGNE RHÔNE ALPES is proud to support HRS, with whom we collaborate for several years, in the continuity of its projects aimed at developing carbon-free mobility. »
Sébastien SCHMITT, Regional Director Alpes Bpifrance Grenoble, declared: “As an industry bank, Bpifrance is proud to support and accompany this emblematic project of the region. This new factory embodies the industrial renaissance, an essential movement of French renewal! As a green solution provider, HRS technology contributes to developing the hydrogen sector for carbon-free mobility.”
Frédéric DUBOIS, Chairman of the SOMUDIMEC Management Board, declared: “We are proud to support the HRS company since its creation. We were already present alongside the manager in the takeover of the TSM company. Somudimec is committed to HRS to support the economic development of this Grenoble company, encourage the ecological transition and develop national sovereignty in the field of renewable energies.”
About HRS
Created in 2004, Hydrogen-Refueling-Solutions ( HRS ), formerly TSM, is a pioneering group in hydrogen mobility in Europe. With unique know-how and experience, HRS has been committed to the decarbonization of transport for more than 10 years through the design and manufacture of a complete range of hydrogen refueling stations. usable by all types of fuel cell vehicles and perfectly adapted to the needs of a fast-growing European market.
At its new Champagnier site, HRS has a mass production capacity allowing it to assemble up to 180 units per year and in record time, up to just 8 weeks.
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