Hydrogen is a clean and sustainable energy that, currently, already represents a real alternative to traditional energy sources. To continue promoting its use and the use of zero-emission vehicles powered by this energy vector, the first hydrogen refueling station in Spain was inaugurated today for long-range fuel cell electric vehicles with a supply capacity of 700 bar / Mpa pressure.
- With a supply capacity of 700 bars of pressure, the new hydrogenerator is a joint project of Toyota Spain, Enagás -through the startup Scale Gas-, Urbaser, Carburos Metólicos, Sumitomo Corporation Spain and the Spanish Confederation of Service Station Employers (CEEES).
- The refueling station, located at EESS San Antonio, on Avenida de Manoteras 34 in Madrid, will allow a fleet of 12 Toyota Mirai units to be refueled by the companies that promote this pioneering project, thus promoting the use of hydrogen as clean energy and sustainable.
This refueling station, located within the EESS San Antonio SL, located on Avenida de Manoteras 34 in Madrid, has been launched thanks to the collaboration between five leading companies from different sectors: Toyota Spain, Enagás —through Scale Gas, a startup born from the Enagás Emprende- entrepreneurship program, Urbaser, Carburos Metónicos, Sumitomo Corporation Spain and the Spanish Confederation of Service Station Entrepreneurs (CEEES).
The new hydrogen refueling facility (‘hydrogenera’), also known by its acronym in English HRS (Hydrogen Refueling Station ), allows hydrogen to be supplied at 700 bar / Mpa, which makes it a pioneer in Spain: it is the first in offering hydrogen at such a high pressure, thus allowing to recharge the tanks of the latest generation fuel cell vehicles.
A fleet of 12 Toyota Mirai, distributed among the different companies that have collaborated to develop the ‘hydrogeneration’ in Madrid, will demonstrate the viability of hydrogen as a valid energy source for day to day: the refueling process is equivalent to that of a model of Traditional propulsion – less than 5 minutes -, offering a maximum power of 155 CV and a range of around 550 km.
Mirai is a fuel cell electric vehicle – Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) – that is powered by electricity produced through the chemical reaction between oxygen, which it takes from outside air, and hydrogen which is stored in its tanks.
Since it was launched in 2014, first in Japan and the United States and later in different European countries, Mirai has accumulated more than 11,000 units sold, becoming the icon of Toyota’s commitment to a hydrogen-based society.
Hydrogen and hydrogen
Hydrogen is a key energy in the decarbonization process, and it can be an energy vector that contributes to trying to slow down climate change. It is an unlimited source of energy, which can be obtained in a sustainable way, it is easy to store and transport and can be used in very different areas, from the transport of goods – trucks, ships, etc. – or people – private vehicles, buses, taxis, etc—, even for the air conditioning of homes and buildings or the supply of energy for the operation of production plants.
The new hydrogen refueling station will supply green hydrogen, generated from renewable energy. It has a supply capacity of up to 10 kg of hydrogen per day, with a purity greater than 99.98% and a refueling pressure of 700 bar / MPa, thus allowing to recharge the tanks of fuel cell vehicles in less than five minutes.
All the companies that are part of the consortium that has promoted the creation and start-up of this new hydrogen refueling station are committed to hydrogen as the energy not only of the future but also of the present, promoting sustainable mobility with zero-emission vehicles, such as It is the Toyota Mirai.
In this context, Enagás and CEEES have signed a collaboration agreement for the deployment of hydrogen refueling points, so that in the coming years a dense network of recharging facilities can be established that allows the circulation of fuel cell vehicles such as the Toyota Mirai throughout Spain.
Authorities and declarations
The inauguration of the hydrogen refueling station was attended by the Secretary General for Industry and Small and Medium Enterprises, Raül Blanco, and the Delegate Councilor of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Area of the Madrid City Council, Ángel Niño, as well as the maximum representatives of the five companies that have started up the hydrogeneration plant.
Thus, the President and CEO of Toyota Spain, Miguel Carsi; the CEO of Enagás, Marcelino Oreja; the General Director of Urbaser Urban Services, Manuel Andrés Martínez; the General Director of Metallic Carbides and Vice President of Air Products in Southern Europe and the Maghreb, Miquel Lope; and the Executive President of Sumitomo Corporation Spain; Domingo Cervantes. The treasurer of CEEES and owner of the San Antonio service station, Juan Santos, also attended.
Miguel Carsi, President and CEO of Toyota Spain : “Toyota’s global vision includes hydrogen as a fundamental pillar, on which a very important part of the strategy to become a 100% zero emissions mobility provider is based. Toyota’s 2050 Environmental Challenge aims to contribute positively to minimizing the impact of environmental changes and to help build a sustainable society by eliminating CO2 emissions from vehicles, operations and the supply chain. And for this, hydrogen and vehicles like the Toyota Mirai will be essential. With the inauguration of this hydrogeneration, the first to 700 bars in Spain, we are promoting hydrogen as energy not only for the future but also for the present, showing that it can and should be a key energy vector in our country ”.
Marcelino Oreja, CEO of Enagás : “This hydrog station, the first in Spain with 700 bars, is the result of a pilot project started two years ago by a consortium of companies, all of them committed to the energy transition from different areas. The common commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation, the promotion of industry and employment in Spain, as well as the willingness to collaborate and co-investment have been key factors that have allowed us to inaugurate this pioneering facility in our country today ” .
Manuel Andrés Martínez, General Director of Urbaser Urban Services : “ Urbaser’s collaboration in this pioneering project in Spain continues the line of support for sustainable mobility and the promotion of the circular economy, a key element for sustainable development and which represents a opportunity as an engine for energy transition and climate action. This alliance is a clear commitment to environmental innovation and the sustainable recovery of our country ”.
Miquel Lope, General Director of Metallic Carbides and Vice President of Air Products in Southern Europe and the Maghreb: “Metallic Carbides is part of the world’s largest hydrogen producer, the Air Products Group, and as a specialist in all aspects of its chain of value, is aware of the role it must play as a mobility fuel in decarbonisation and energy transition. The participation of the company in this new project is part of our collaborative strategy to promote the creation of a hydrogen ecosystem in our country ”.
Domingo Cervantes, Executive President of Sumitomo Corporation Spain : “We are delighted to be part of this initiative, which highlights Sumitomo Corporation Spain’s commitment to sustainability and investment in a wide variety of alternative technologies. The effort made by this consortium, led by Toyota and Enagás, to introduce hydrogen as a mobility vector, is very important for customers and society as a whole, as it provides a clean, viable and future-proof alternative to fossil fuels and the electric car. The opening of this hydrogeneration also marks a milestone in the urgent task of reducing carbon emissions from vehicles. From Sumitomo Corporation Spain we are proud to be part of this consortium and to participate in this event ”.
Jorge de Benito, President of CEEES : “The inauguration of this first hydrogen refueling point at 700 bar / Mpa is a crucial milestone in the deployment of a network of this type of facilities that allows the circulation of vehicles with zero emissions of fuel cells. fuel that can be refueled at our service stations. The commitment of leading entities such as Toyota, Enagás, Urbaser, Metallic Carbides and Sumitomo is also that of CEEES and that of its associates, such as EESS San Antonio, in the fight to advance towards truly sustainable mobility and a low carbon economy ”.
Beyond Zero by Toyota
Toyota, with its Toyota and Lexus brands, is a world leader in the commercialization of electrified engines, with more than 15 million electric hybrid cars sold worldwide and 300,000 units in Spain since 1997. Toyota’s electrification roadmap , with an eye towards a society without CO 2 emissions, started more than 20 years ago with the birth of hybrid technology, and since then we have continued working on that goal. This demonstrates the brand’s commitment to help achieve sustainable mobility thanks to the reduction of greenhouse gas (CO2) emissions to help positively combat climate change and a reduction in emissions of polluting gases (NOx and particles) that directly affect people’s health. In fact, NOx emissions are more than 90% lower than the limit set by the current legislation, for example, in Yaris Hybrid the emissions of nitrogen oxides are only 6 mg / km, compared to the expected limit of 60 mg / km of Euro6 gasoline cars and 80 mg / km of Euro6 diesel. Taking action to tackle climate change is a pressing issue around the world, and promoting sustainable, low-carbon energy has long been a major goal. That is why the company is taking a further step in tackling environmental challenges, putting hydrogen technologies at the forefront and trying to make it the main energy source for tomorrow’s society. A future society in which not only will there be no emissions, but we will also go further, connecting people, buildings and vehicles in a unique ecosystem, which will lead to a better society, with mobility for all as the axis, a mobility that it goes beyond automobiles and has to do with overcoming challenges and making dreams come true. Start Your Impossible , the global corporate initiative that aims to inspire and seek to achieve a more inclusive and sustainable society.
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